10/14/2026
This is one of the most confusing surprises a homeowner can get.
You locked in a fixed-rate mortgage contract, but your monthly bank withdrawal suddenly jumped by $50, $100, or more.
What happened?
If your lender collects your property taxes along with your mortgage payment (often called a tax account or escrow account), your total withdrawal consists of two separate parts:
Principal & Interest (This part is fixed and didn't change).
Property Taxes (This part is set by your municipality, NOT your bank).
Why the payment increased:
π Municipal Tax Rate Increases: Local cities update their annual tax rates, which increases your overall annual bill.
ποΈ Property Reassessments: If your home's assessed value went up, your property tax bill followed suit.
βοΈ Account Shortfall Adjustment: Lenders review your tax account yearly. If the taxes paid out to the city were higher than what was collected from you, the lender raises your monthly amount to cover the difference and make up for the past shortfall.
The Bottom Line: Your mortgage interest rate didn't change but your property tax bill did!
π Confused by a recent payment change on your statement? Send me a DM or drop a comment below, Iβm happy to review your lender statement with you and break down the numbers!
π (604) 671-6258
π§ [email protected]
π loweryourrate.ca