Documents teachers need for a mortgage

Ontario teachers generally need a board employment or salary letter, two years of T4s and Notices of Assessment, recent pay stubs, a signed contract if LTO or contract, and a return-to-work letter if on leave. Permanent teachers lean on the employment letter; occasional and LTO teachers lean on the T4 history.

The core checklist

• Board employment or salary letter stating position, category and step, base salary, start date, and whether you are permanent, probationary, LTO, or contract
• Two years of T4s and two years of Notices of Assessment (essential for occasional and LTO)
• Your two to four most recent pay stubs
• Signed contract if you are LTO or contract, especially a go-forward assignment
• Return-to-work letter with a specific date if you are on maternity or parental leave
• OCT registration or Certificate of Qualification
• Down-payment proof, government ID, and a void cheque

What your employment letter must say

A weak letter is the quiet killer of teacher files. The strongest version states your exact position, your category and step, your base salary, your start date, and your status (permanent, probationary, LTO, or contract). If any of those are missing, the file slows down while the lender asks for more.

Ask your board's HR for a letter that includes all of the above before you apply. It saves days.

Common questions