09/25/2026
⚠️ Buyers: after a home inspection, can you really back out of a promise to purchase?
It’s a question that comes up often.
You make an offer on a property. It gets accepted. You have the inspection done and then… the report uncovers issues you weren’t expecting.
Your first reaction might be:
“Okay, with all of this, I can just back out.”
But it’s not always that simple.
The inspection clause isn’t there to simply allow a buyer to change their mind. The issues discovered need to be significant enough to have a meaningful impact on the property.
And most importantly, you need to be able to justify your decision.
That’s exactly what makes some recent court decisions so interesting for buyers.
In my latest article, I look at two cases in particular, Lefrançois v. Kottaras and Simoneau v. Bisson, to show what can actually happen when a buyer decides to back out after an inspection.
We’re talking about some very practical but important questions:
🏠 What can actually justify backing out?
🔍 Are multiple issues enough?
💰 How do you demonstrate the financial impact of the repairs?
📑 Why can quotes and expert opinions become important?
⚖️ And what can happen if the withdrawal isn’t justified?
Because an inspection report with a long list of issues doesn’t automatically mean you can walk away from the transaction.
Before making a decision, you need to understand what was discovered, document the situation, and determine its actual impact.
👇 Read the full analysis here:
https://jcabana.ca/en/blog-post/can-you-withdraw-from-a-promise-to-purchase-after-an-inspection-in-quebec-clause-8-1-lefrancois-and-simoneau-explained
If you’re planning on buying a property soon, save this post. It could help you avoid making an important decision too quickly.
Can you withdraw from a promise to purchase after a home inspection in Quebec? See how Clause 8.1 was examined in Lefrançois and Simoneau, a case that resulted in $87,000 in damages.