Short answer: Yes. In Ontario, a single agent or brokerage can represent both the seller and the buyer in the same deal. The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) calls this multiple representation, not “dual agency.” It is legal only with written disclosure and written consent from both clients. Either side can say no.
What “multiple representation” means in Ontario
It happens in two ways:
- One agent, two clients. The same designated representative acts for the seller and the buyer.
- One brokerage, two agents. Two different agents from the same brokerage represent opposite sides, so the brokerage itself is on both sides of the deal.
Before the deal moves forward, the brokerage must disclose the situation in writing and get a signed acknowledgement and consent from every client involved.
One more term to separate out: a “dual-licensed agent” is a different thing, namely an agent who holds two separate licences. If you’re reading about dual representation versus a traditional Realtor in Toronto, make sure the page means one agent acting for both sides.
What changes once you consent
Consent changes what the agent is allowed to do. In ordinary single-client representation, your agent negotiates hard for you. Under multiple representation, RECO says the agent cannot advise one side on what price to offer or accept, or what terms to include, if that advice favours one side over the other.
In practice:
- The agent can still prepare paperwork, explain the process and keep the deal organized.
- The agent can no longer act as your negotiator.
- Both clients should be told in plain terms about any change in services and any change in fees.
This is also why buyers on Toronto real estate forums often raise conflict-of-interest concerns. The listing agent already owes duties to the seller.
The money: what a double-ended deal can look like
Commission in Ontario is not fixed. Neither RECO nor any real estate board sets it. Rates.ca data from December 2025 puts the typical Canadian range at roughly 3% to 7%. In Toronto, a traditional full-service deal has often been modelled as 5% total, split about 2.5% listing side and 2.5% buyer side.
Here’s how the models compare on a $1,000,000 home:
| Commission model | Total commission | Difference vs. 5% |
| Traditional 5% | $50,000 | – |
| Blended 1% listing + 2.5% buyer side | $35,000 | $15,000 less |
| 2.5% total | $25,000 | $25,000 less |
| 1% total, double-ended | $10,000 | $40,000 less |
| Flat-fee MLS ($5,000 example) | $5,000 + buyer-side and add-ons | up to $45,000 less |
A second example on an $850,000 home, using the Ontario traditional 2.5% + 2.5% structure:
- Listing side: 2.5% = $21,250
- Buyer side: 2.5% = $21,250
- Total: $42,500
If the agent represents both sides and the seller negotiates 2.5% total, the bill drops to $21,250, roughly half. One published Toronto-area price list shows what a flat structure looks like. For homes between $400K and $900K, the listing fee is $5,450 + HST, and a double-ended total is $9,950 + HST. At $850K that is about 1.2% before HST, compared with $42,500 at the traditional rate. That is one agent’s offer, not a market average.
To run your own price and commission scenario, use the real estate commission calculator.
Why the discount happens, and why it isn’t automatic
The reasoning is simple. When one agent collects both sides of the fee, some agents will lower the rate. Forum posts from Toronto sellers describe exactly this. But the discount varies from case to case, and it is never guaranteed.
Cheaper also doesn’t mean better or worse. Savings and scope of service are two separate questions. A flat-fee MLS listing gives you exposure. A full-service agent adds pricing strategy, photography, showings, negotiation and closing coordination. The tradeoff under multiple representation is that you may save money but give up one-sided advocacy.
Get it in writing: a cautionary example
One February 2026 Reddit post described a seller whose Realtor first discussed 3.5% total, with 2.5% going to the buyer’s brokerage. Once the Realtor represented both sides, the Realtor verbally quoted 2.5% total. That led to a dispute over what was actually agreed. Anecdotes like this aren’t official statistics, but the lesson holds. Any discount tied to a double-ended deal should appear in the signed agreement.
Buyers: check your representation agreement first
If you’re buying, the paperwork matters just as much. A buyer representation agreement in Ontario is a contract with the brokerage, not just the agent. RECO says that if you decline to sign one, you shouldn’t expect services such as showings. The same RECO guidance says the agreement must show how your fee changes if the seller pays part of it or none of it.
Illustration on an $850,000 purchase with a 2.5% agreed fee:
| Seller offers the buyer’s brokerage | You owe (before HST) |
| 2.5% = $21,250 | $0 |
| 2.0% = $17,000 | $4,250 |
| $0 | $21,250 |
Five clauses to check: term, commission, holdover, scope and termination. All are negotiable. Two matter most for this topic:
- Multiple representation. You don’t have to agree to it. The agreement should say what happens if your brokerage ends up on both sides, for example that it terminates or you’re referred elsewhere for that deal.
- Holdover. This can make you pay the brokerage if you buy a property it introduced to you after the agreement expires. Money.ca estimates the cost on a mid-priced Ontario home at $15,000 or more. Ask to limit the holdover to properties shown to you in writing, shorten it or remove it.
Since December 1, 2023, Ontario also has designated representation, where named agents inside a brokerage represent you. Ask which agent is yours and get their name in writing.
Sellers: questions to ask before you sign a listing agreement
- What is my listing commission, as a % and in dollars on my expected price?
- What will I pay, if anything, to the buyer’s brokerage?
- What happens to fees if I agree to multiple representation?
- Is there a holdover period, and which buyers does it cover?
If you’re weighing a low-fee route, compare structures on a page about low-commission and flat-fee listing options in Toronto, and note that buyer-side compensation is often handled separately from the listing fee.
Pros and cons at a glance
| Traditional (two agents) | Multiple representation | |
| Advocacy | Each side has its own representative | Limited; no price or terms advice favouring either side |
| Typical cost | Often modelled at about 5% on a full-service basis | Can be lower if the agent discounts; negotiable |
| Speed and coordination | Two parties to align | One point of contact |
| Main risk | Higher total fees | Conflict of interest, reduced services |
| Can you refuse? | – | Yes, either side can decline |
FAQ
Is it legal for one agent to represent both buyer and seller in Toronto?
Yes, with written disclosure and written consent from both clients.
Can the agent negotiate the price for me?
Not in a way that favours one side. RECO limits price and terms advice under multiple representation.
Will I save money?
Possibly. It depends on the rate in your agreement. On a $1,000,000 home, going from 5% to 1% total would mean $40,000 less. That outcome is not guaranteed.
Can I refuse multiple representation?
Yes. Buyers and sellers can both decline.
What should I get in writing?
The commission as a percentage and a dollar figure, what changes if the deal is double-ended, the holdover terms and the scope of services.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Commission rates are negotiable and vary by brokerage. Have a real estate lawyer review any agreement you’re unsure about.
