Multiple Offers in Ontario: What Changed When Sellers Can Share Offer Details

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If you have bought or sold a home in Richmond Hill, Markham, Vaughan or Toronto in a busy market, you have probably heard the words "we're holding offers" or "there are multiple offers on the table." For years, buyers in Ontario competed in what many called a "blind bidding" process: they knew other offers existed, but nothing about what those offers contained.

That changed on December 1, 2023, when the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 (TRESA) and its regulations took effect in Ontario. One of the most practical changes is that a seller can now choose to share the details of competing offers, but only under specific rules. This article explains those rules in plain language, using the guidance published by the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), the regulator for agents and brokerages in the province.

What the rules actually say

RECO's Bulletin 4.1, Number and content of competing offers, sums the rules up in three points:

1. The number of competing offers must be communicated to every person who is making one of the offers.
2. If the seller directs in writing, the content of competing offers (or select parts of it) must be shared with every person making one of the offers.
3. Personal information, or anything that would identify a person making an offer, must not be shared.

Two details matter here. First, the rules apply to written offers received by the seller's brokerage. According to RECO, a verbal offer is not a competing offer, and neither is an offer that has not been submitted yet. Second, sharing is the seller's decision. The listing agent cannot share offer content without the seller's written direction. RECO's TRESA FAQs note that a text message or email can count as written direction, as long as it is clear.

Sharing is optional, and can change at any time

This is the part buyers most often misunderstand. The seller is not required to share anything. RECO explains that:

• there is no minimum on what must be shared, so buyers should not assume the shared details include the purchase price;
• the seller can decide to share before or after offers arrive;
• the seller can change their instructions at any time during the offer process;
• there is no requirement for advance notice to buyers about whether content will be shared.

In practice, sharing might cover the price, or it might cover something else entirely: the closing date, deposit, or whether a particular condition is included. RECO specifically mentions sharing content to negotiate closing dates or the inclusion or removal of clauses.

What this means if you are buying

If you are competing on a home in the GTA, a few practical takeaways follow from RECO's guidance:

• Expect to be told how many written offers there are. That number must be shared with everyone making an offer.
• Do not assume you will see other buyers' prices. Even when sharing happens, the seller chooses what to share.
• Plan for your own offer being shared. Except for identifying information, parts of your offer could be shown to competing buyers if the seller directs it.
• Talk to your agent about a confidential offer. RECO notes that a buyer who does not want to take part in a process that shares content can discuss trying to submit a confidential offer. Whether a confidentiality clause is enforceable is a legal question; RECO advises getting legal advice on it.

This is also why preparation matters before you write. If you are new to offers, our post on conditional offers in the GTA market explains how conditions interact with competition, and what to ask at an open house helps you collect information early.

What this means if you are selling

For sellers, offer sharing is one more tool and one more decision. RECO's guidance says the seller's choice should be informed by their agent's advice about the specific property and market conditions. Sharing might encourage buyers to improve terms. On the other hand, some buyers may prefer not to compete in an open process. There is no one right answer for every home, and the seller remains in control of the decision.

Whatever you decide, the identity and personal information of the people making offers stay protected. The law does not allow it to be shared, even if a seller asks.

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The bottom line

Ontario's multiple-offer process is more transparent than it used to be, but only as far as each seller chooses. Buyers should go in expecting the number of offers, not necessarily the details. Sellers should treat sharing as a strategic decision to make with their agent.

If you are planning a purchase or sale in Richmond Hill, Markham, Vaughan or anywhere in the GTA and want to understand how a multiple-offer situation could play out, call or WhatsApp me at 647-667-5555 or visit fazaeli.ca. You can also browse buying and selling in Toronto.

Sources: RECO, TRESA FAQs and Bulletin 4.1. Checked October 14, 2026.

This article is general educational information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules can change; check the official source or speak with a qualified professional about your situation.

Farshad Fazaeli, Salesperson, International Realty Firm, Inc., Brokerage.