Notices of Security Interest
Learn about Notices of Security Interest (NOSIs), why they were banned for consumer goods, how to check if one was registered to your home’s title and how to remove it.
Overview
A Notice of Security Interest (NOSI) is registered on land title to notify others of a security interest in a fixture (such as a piece of equipment like an air conditioning unit or water heater) on the land. Consumer NOSIs were often registered by a business when it installed a leased or financed piece of equipment on a property that would be used for personal, family or household purposes.
The use of NOSIs increased significantly since the early 2000s. Since that time, some businesses misused consumer NOSIs, causing significant financial harm to consumers by charging homeowners exorbitant fees to remove NOSIs from their land titles or by using NOSIs to discourage consumers from changing suppliers. This was often discovered and experienced by homeowners when they tried to clear their land titles to complete certain transactions, such as selling or refinancing their homes.
The ban on consumer NOSIs
On June 6, 2024, the Homeowner Protection Act became law. The Act bans the registration of NOSIs for consumer goods. Consumer goods are goods installed in a residential home that are used primarily for personal, family or household purposes (such as a water heater, air conditioning equipment, or furnace).
The Homeowner Protection Act also deems all consumer NOSIs currently registered on land titles to be expired. While these expired NOSIs continue to appear on land title documents, the land is not affected by the NOSI.
When the ban on consumer NOSIs applies
The ban applies to the registration of NOSIs for consumer goods.
The ban on consumer NOSIs does not cancel an existing contract for a fixture that a business has with a consumer. It also does not eliminate any underlying security interest that the business has in the fixture.
A business continues to retain its rights under the contract and can pursue remedies in court if a consumer does not meet their obligations under the contract. Suppliers may also retain the right to repossess the fixture, in certain circumstances.
Commercial NOSIs
The ban on consumer NOSIs does not impact commercial NOSIs. Commercial NOSIs are registered for commercial goods like large industrial equipment that becomes a fixture, rather than a consumer good in a home.
The ministry is not currently aware of misuse of NOSIs in the commercial space, which is why commercial NOSIs have been excluded from the ban.
How to find out if a NOSI is registered on your title
You may wish to check your land title on OnLand.ca – the Ontario Land Registry – to see if a NOSI has been registered. OnLand.ca gives users remote access to search and download Land Registry records for a fee. It also allows you to search historical and current property records from the convenience of your home or office.
Land Registry Services also offers resources and tutorials at the OnLand Help Centre to support customers as they search through Land Registry records.
If working with a lawyer, they may help you confirm whether there is an expired consumer NOSI registered on your title and assist you in removing it .
Removing an expired consumer NOSI
There is no need for consumers to take immediate action because the land is no longer affected by the NOSI . Consumers who wish to remove an expired NOSI (e.g., during a land transaction) may work with a lawyer to file the appropriate documents with the Land Registry. This includes an Application to Amend the Register, along with the associated fee, and a law statement confirming that the NOSI on title is for a consumer good and subject to the ban. After the documents are filed and reviewed by the Land Registry Office, the NOSI will be deleted from title.
If you do not have a lawyer, visit the Law Society Referral Service online to be matched with a lawyer or licensed paralegal for a free consultation of up to 30 minutes, provided that one is available. If you are unable to use the online service, call
Notice: scam to remove Notices of Security Interest (NOSIs) from the property title
We have learned that a company is contacting homeowners and offering to remove NOSIs from their property titles for a fee.
The Government of Ontario recently banned consumer NOSIs and deemed currently registered NOSIs expired. Homeowners are not required to remove them from their title, as the land is no longer affected by them. Do not feel pressured to enter into any contract.
If you are approached by a company offering to remove NOSIs for any fee, report the incident to the local police or call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Your rights under the Consumer Protection Act
The Consumer Protection Act protects you from unfair practices when you sign a contract with a business or individual to buy or lease certain products or services.
Make sure to review any contracts before you sign them, only purchase home appliances from trusted businesses and avoid door-to-door sales.
Find out how you are protected by the Consumer Protection Act for the following services:
- Your rights when signing or cancelling a contract.
- Rules for businesses for door-to-door sales.
- What you need to know when buying a house
Contact us
If you have questions or concerns about NOSIs, call ServiceOntario from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:
1-888-278-0001 (toll free)