Toronto Open House Security Checklist | Sam Kamra

Agree on a security plan before advertising

The direct answer is that a Toronto seller should approve a written open-house plan covering who will host, when access begins and ends, how visitors will be managed, which spaces are restricted and how the property will be secured afterward. The Real Estate Council of Ontario says the seller's agent must explain the potential benefits and risks and create a plan to minimize them.

Discuss the format before the event appears online. Ask who will be present, whether attendees will register, how many people may enter at once, whether they will be escorted, and how agents will handle children, contractors or unexpected visitors. Under RECO's open-house bulletin, the seller's written direction includes the date, start and end time, hosting agents and access restrictions. Sam Kamra encourages sellers to turn preferences into clear instructions rather than last-minute assumptions.

Remove valuables, medicine and personal information

Move cash, jewellery, collectibles, portable electronics, spare keys and sentimental objects off-site or into genuinely secure storage. RECO also advises removing medication from every room and putting bills, bank statements, credit-card receipts and other personal records out of view. A closed drawer is not a reliable security measure when visitors are moving through the home.

Review calendars and noticeboards for names, schools, schedules, account details or travel plans. Hide identification, legal papers, prescription labels and sale documents. Consider removing family photographs. Take dated inventory photographs so it is easier to identify a change after the event.

Set rules for access, photos and sensitive rooms

Decide in advance whether visitors may take photographs or video, and ask the agent how the rule will be communicated. Images can capture security systems, family information, expensive belongings or room layouts beyond what the listing already shows. Restrict access to any room, cabinet, garage area or outbuilding that cannot be prepared safely, while recognizing that restrictions may affect the viewing experience.

Ask how arrival and departure will be monitored and how one host can supervise multiple floors. RECO states that hosting agents are responsible for supervising attendees who are given access, safeguarding the property and securing it afterward. A buyer, inspector or service provider should not receive unaccompanied access unless the seller has expressly authorized it in writing.

Make an informed decision about lockbox access

A seller is not required to provide lockbox access. RECO recommends discussing the brokerage's security protocols, the type of box, scheduled-access controls and how often codes change. Electronic models may log the agent and time of entry, but technology does not eliminate the need for confirmed appointments and responsible supervision.

RECO says an agent must not give a lockbox code to a buyer, appraiser, inspector or other service provider without the seller's express written consent. If lockbox access is unsuitable, document an appointment-only alternative. Sam Kamra's seller guidance can help frame practical access questions, while additional property resources support broader preparation for showings.

Prepare people, pets and connected devices

Plan for residents and pets to be elsewhere during the event unless the agreed format requires otherwise. Secure pet medication, food, crates and records, and tell the host about doors or gates that must remain closed. Remove trip hazards and fragile objects without hiding known property defects or creating misleading presentation.

Connected cameras, doorbells, speakers, displays and assistants can collect or reveal personal information. Review what is visible, audible or remotely accessible during a showing. Do not use a device to record private conversations without first obtaining legal advice about consent and privacy. Preserve necessary security functions, but avoid displaying household schedules, access codes or live feeds to visitors.

Complete a room-by-room closing sweep

After the last attendee leaves, the host should check each room, closet and approved access area; confirm that windows, exterior doors and gates are closed and locked; account for keys and remotes; and report any concern promptly. Sellers can compare the home with their inventory photos and change temporary codes when appropriate. Document damage or a missing item before cleaning or rearranging the space.

This checklist works best alongside the Toronto seller pre-listing document checklist. Public information can also strengthen careful decisions; CB Herald's discussion of Sam Kamra and public LTB data illustrates that principle, while Barchart's report on the RealEstateBuyer.ca launch covers Sam Kamra's wider property-services work. The conclusion is simple: set access rules, remove sensitive items and close the event with a documented security sweep. Sellers can review the plan with their agent before every open house.

Questions and answers

Toronto Open House Security and Privacy Checklist for Sellers FAQ

Should Toronto open-house visitors be asked to register?

RECO identifies attendee registration as one possible safeguard. Sellers should discuss the process, what information will be requested and how the host will manage access before giving written directions.

Can a seller restrict rooms during an open house?

RECO says written open-house directions can include access restrictions. Discuss practical effects with the agent and make sure restricted spaces are secured without creating safety hazards or misleading buyers.

Is a Toronto home seller required to use a lockbox?

No. RECO states that sellers are not required to provide lockbox access. A seller can discuss an appointment-only alternative and document the agreed showing procedure.

What should be checked after an open house?

Check rooms and approved storage areas, account for keys and remotes, and confirm that windows, doors, gates and other access points are secured. Report damage, missing items or unusual access promptly.

Authoritative sources

This article provides general information, not legal, tax, mortgage or financial advice. Confirm figures and eligibility with the appropriate professional and current official sources.