An adjustment is not the same as a closing fee

Legal fees, title insurance, registration charges, mortgage costs, and moving expenses are transaction costs. Adjustments are credits and debits that divide property-related amounts already paid or still owing. They change the cash required or proceeds received without changing the purchase price.

Common Calgary adjustment items

  • City of Calgary property tax paid for the year or still outstanding.
  • Condominium contributions and approved recurring charges.
  • Tenant rent, deposits, and agreed landlord credits.
  • Prepaid service contracts or association fees when the contract provides for them.
  • Specific repair holdbacks or credits documented in the agreement.

Why the property-tax line surprises people

The tax account and payment method matter. A seller who paid the full annual amount may receive a buyer credit for the buyer's ownership period. Where tax instalments or a lender tax account are involved, the lawyer needs current statements and may reconcile amounts differently from a simple annual estimate.

Condo and tenancy files need extra documents

For a condominium, provide current fee information, arrears status, upcoming changes, and any special-levy payment obligations under the contract. For a tenant-occupied property, the lawyer needs the lease, rent ledger, deposits, prepaid rent, and the parties' written allocation of landlord obligations.

How to review the statement of adjustments

Check the purchase price, deposit credit, adjustment date, each line's date range, annual or monthly amount, and whether the buyer or seller receives the credit. Compare the statement with the signed contract and amendments. Ask the lawyer about anything that looks duplicated, omitted, or based on an outdated amount.

Cash-to-close and net planning

Buyers should keep a buffer beyond the down payment for adjustments and legal disbursements. Sellers should not treat a rough net sheet as final until the mortgage payout, commissions if applicable, tax position, condo or tenancy items, legal costs, and adjustments are supported by current statements.

Related guideOpen the deeper Calgary guide
Use this whenThe term changes your offer, pricing, documents, inspection, financing, legal review, or repair plan.

Verify before relying

Official sources for this decision

Use the source that governs the question, then verify the current property, document, contract, and deadline with the appropriate qualified professional.

Government of Alberta home-purchase guidanceOfficial overview of agreements, title, inspections, condominiums, and buyer due diligence.Alberta Land Titles overviewOfficial explanation of ownership records and registered interests on Alberta land titles.Real Estate Council of Alberta consumer informationAlberta consumer guidance for buying, selling, representation, and transaction risk.City of Calgary Certificate of ComplianceCurrent City process for Real Property Reports, structure-location review, and compliance outcomes.

Source pathways reviewed July 29, 2026. A source page does not replace property-specific legal, lending, inspection, insurance, survey, or condominium advice.

Important

This is general information, not mortgage, tax, or financial advice. Speak with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

Questions people ask before acting

Do closing adjustments increase the purchase price?

No. They allocate agreed expenses or income between the parties and affect the final funds transferred.

Who calculates the adjustments?

The conveyancing lawyers prepare and review the statement using the contract and current supporting documents.

Are property taxes always adjusted the same way?

No. Payment status, instalments, lender tax accounts, the adjustment date, and the contract all matter.

When should I see the final amount?

Ask the lawyer when the statement and trust-fund requirement will be available, and keep a buffer because late documents can change the figure.

RELATED GUIDES / Buying & financing

Check your financing for the specific property.

A pre-approval is not final financing. Confirm the property, appraisal, insurer, cash to close and lender conditions before deciding whether to remove a financing condition. A planning score cannot authorize a purchase.

Official verification: FCAC: getting pre-approved for a mortgage ↗

Affiliated network resources provide context. Confirm rules, approvals and property records with the responsible authority.