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Rate-hold countdown: when does your held rate expire?

Short answer

A held rate lasts a fixed number of days from the letter's date: 60 to 130 by lender, per the FCAC. A 120-day hold issued October 15, 2026 ends 2027-02-12. On $520,000, losing a hold 0.20% below today's rate costs about $56 a month.

Figures as of 2026-11-02.
Facts checked How we check facts

Rate-hold countdown

When your held rate expires, and what a move in rates before then would do.

FCAC: 60 to 130 days depending on the lender; RBC, TD, CIBC and National Bank state up to 120, BMO 130, nesto 150. Your letter decides.
Valid until 2027-02-12103 days leftRBC says its guarantee expires if the mortgage isn't funded within the hold; CIBC's applies to fixed rates while your finances don't change. Check your own letter.
Held3.92%today 4.12%
Payment at held rate
$2,713
Payment at today's rate
$2,769
+$56/month
Max price, held rate
$625,300
qualifying 5.92%
Max price, today's rate
$615,800
qualifying 6.12%
Your hold is protecting youRates have risen since your hold. Make sure the purchase can fund before it ends, or ask about an extension in writing.

Estimate, not advice. Educational estimate only, not financial, mortgage, tax or legal advice. Lenders, insurers and governments set their own rules and can change them; confirm with a licensed professional before you decide.

Hold ends 2027-02-12 (103 days). At today's rate the payment is $56 higher a month.

Monthly payment if rates move before closingPayment on $520,000 at the held rate plus or minus each move.$0$1,250$2,500$3,750$5,000-0.50-0.250.00+0.25+0.50+0.75+1.00
Show the numbers
Monthly payment if rates move before closing
Payment
-0.50$2,574
-0.25$2,643
0.00$2,713
+0.25$2,783
+0.50$2,855
+0.75$2,927
+1.00$3,001
Assumptions & sources

Assumptions

  • Expiry = issue date + hold length. Your letter's own date and conditions govern.
  • Payments use semi-annual compounding; maximum price uses the stress test at each rate.

Sources

  1. Financial Consumer Agency of Canada — Getting a mortgage pre-approval (rate lock 60 to 130 days) (effective October 15, 2025). Checked .
  2. RBC Royal Bank — Getting pre-approved (rate guaranteed up to 120 days; online is a soft check). Checked .
  3. TD — Mortgage pre-approval (rate held 120 days; no score impact online). Checked .
  4. CIBC — Mortgage pre-approval (up to 120 days from the certificate date, fixed rates). Checked .
  5. OSFI — Minimum qualifying rate for uninsured mortgages (Guideline B-20). Checked .
  6. Department of Finance Canada — Statement on the insured mortgage stress test (effective December 12, 2023). Checked .

How does this calculator work?

Expiry is the letter's date plus the hold length. Payments use semi-annual compounding; the maximum price reruns the stress test at each rate. Read your letter for conditions: RBC says its guarantee expires if the mortgage isn't funded within the hold; CIBC's applies to fixed rates while your finances don't change; Desjardins says choosing a different mortgage type loses the rate. Compare all nine lenders in rate holds explained, or read your own letter with the letter reader.

A 120-day hold on a $520,000 mortgage
A 120-day hold on a $520,000 mortgage: inputs, steps and result
Letter datedOctober 15, 2026
Hold120 daysRBC, TD and CIBC state up to 120
Held rate / today's rate3.92% / 4.12%
Mortgage$520,00025 years
Payment at the held rate$2,713/mo
Payment at today's rate$2,769/mo
Maximum price, held vs today$584,500 vs $575,700
Hold ends2027-02-12$56/month at stake

Open this example in the calculator →Computed November 2, 2026.

Mitey the yeti points at a calendar with a date circled.
Mitey circles the expiry date and counts back from closing: if the move-in date lands after it, call the lender now.

Frequently asked questions

Can I extend a rate hold?

Some lenders will, or will re-issue the pre-approval at current rates. Ask before the hold ends, especially if your closing date might land after it.

Which lender holds a pre-approval rate longest?

Of the lenders we checked, nesto states 150 days (with one float-down), BMO 130 days, and RBC, TD, CIBC and National Bank up to 120. ATB states 180 days for new builds.

Primary sources

  1. Financial Consumer Agency of Canada — Getting a mortgage pre-approval (rate lock 60 to 130 days) (effective October 15, 2025). Checked .
  2. RBC Royal Bank — Getting pre-approved (rate guaranteed up to 120 days; online is a soft check). Checked .
  3. TD — Mortgage pre-approval (rate held 120 days; no score impact online). Checked .
  4. CIBC — Mortgage pre-approval (up to 120 days from the certificate date, fixed rates). Checked .
Rate holds explainedNine lenders compared.Open →Letter readerYour letter, read.Open →After your offerClosing inside the hold.Open →