Local downsizing resources in Ontario

The people and programs that help with the work of downsizing in Ontario, grouped by what you need done. Every listing links to its own website, and each group says where the list is thin, because a province this size has gaps.

Senior move managers

Move managers plan and run the whole transition, from floor plans and sorting to packing, the move itself and setting up the new home. This is the thinnest category outside the Toronto area: no provider in Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Kingston, Barrie, Windsor, Sudbury or Thunder Bay could be confirmed from its own website. Ask whether a firm is insured and whether it sells belongings itself or refers that out.

  • Downsizing Diva

    Senior relocation: downsizing, moving, estate clearing, packing and setup. The site shows a Toronto phone number and a "find your local" section but does not state a service area, so ask whether it covers your address.

  • In and Out

    Decluttering, senior downsizing and move management, estate clearing and pre-sale staging in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area.

  • ONESource Moving Solutions (Toronto)

    Senior moving, downsizing, estate coordination, home staging and content auctions in Toronto East, Central Toronto and North York. It also coordinates moves across Ontario.

  • Silver Lining Senior Advisors

    Help with choosing what to keep, selling or donating, packing, moving and setup, in the Greater Toronto Area, Durham, Halton, Peel, York and Waterloo Region.

  • Gordon's Downsizing & Estate Services

    A real estate brokerage that also coordinates downsizing and content liquidation, serving what it describes as London to Ottawa across Southern Ontario.

  • NASMM Find a Move Manager

    Search tool of the National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers. The site does not say whether Canadian members are listed, so email info@nasmm.org to ask before relying on it.

Estate sale and liquidation companies

These companies sell household contents, often through online auctions, for a commission. Coverage is thin outside the Greater Toronto Area and Southern Ontario: nothing could be confirmed for Ottawa, Sudbury, Thunder Bay or Windsor. Ask about the commission, minimum sale size, who handles unsold items and how quickly you are paid. In a condo, ask the property manager whether sales on site are allowed.

  • Gordon's Downsizing & Estate Services

    Content liquidation through online auctions, probate appraisals and estate settlement support across Ontario, London to Ottawa.

  • Visbids

    Certified personal property appraisals and online auctions, with transport coordination. Offices in Brantford and Milton; serves Southern Ontario from Niagara to Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Hamilton, Oakville, Barrie and Cobourg.

  • In and Out

    Estate clearing and liquidation in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area.

  • ONESource Moving Solutions (Toronto)

    Estate cleanouts and content auctions in the Toronto area.

Donation and pickup

Call ahead about large furniture and anything stained or broken. Donation options outside the Greater Toronto Area are thin here: check your own city for other Habitat ReStores, the Salvation Army, Value Village and health equipment loan programs, and phone first.

  • Habitat for Humanity GTA ReStore

    Takes furniture, appliances and building materials. Free curbside pickup for qualifying items and paid in-house pickup priced by item count. Mattresses and hazardous materials are excluded. Locations include Brampton, East York, Etobicoke, Finch West, Markham, Newmarket, North York, Oshawa and Scarborough.

  • Furniture Bank

    A Toronto charity that collects furniture for families in need. Paid home pickup with a tax receipt, plus free drop-off. Serves the Toronto and Ottawa areas.

  • Declutter for Diabetes

    Diabetes Canada picks up gently used clothing and small household items from your home. The site does not confirm large furniture or Ontario-specific coverage, so ask when you call.

    1-800-505-5525

Disposal, hazardous waste and recycling

What charities cannot take usually goes here. Only a few municipalities were confirmed; Ottawa, Waterloo Region, London, Kingston, Windsor, Sudbury and Thunder Bay were not, and bulky-item rules for Toronto, Peel and Hamilton should be checked on their own pages. Condo residents should also ask the property manager where and when large items can go out.

  • City of Toronto household hazardous waste

    A free Toxic Taxi pickup for 10 to 50 litres or kilograms per appointment, drop-off depots and community environment days for residential waste customers.

    311

  • City of Toronto recycling, organics and garbage

    The hub for bulky item pickup and hazardous waste. Check the current bulky item rules on the city's own pages.

    311

  • Region of Peel waste

    Community Recycling Centres take household hazardous waste, offer paper shredding and reuse donation. Covers Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon.

  • York Region waste

    Household hazardous waste depots, community environmental centres and a waste sorting tool for all nine York municipalities.

    1-877-464-9675

  • Halton Region waste

    Household hazardous waste and reusable donations in Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville. The overview page is thin, so confirm details by phone.

    311

  • City of Hamilton garbage and recycling

    Lists bulk items and furniture, community recycling centres and household hazardous waste. Check the detail pages for current rules.

Aging services and retirement homes

Free or regulated services are good first calls for questions about home care, long-term care and retirement living.

  • Ontario Health atHome

    The single agency that coordinates home and community care, long-term care placement and finding community services, with 14 local offices you can find by postal code.

    1-833-515-1234

  • Ontario seniors page

    The province's seniors hub: housing, health, caregiving and finances, a map of Seniors Active Living Centres, and links to 211 Ontario and the Seniors Safety Line.

  • 211 Ontario

    A helpline that connects people to social services and community supports, available 24 hours a day in over 150 languages.

    2-1-1 or 1-877-330-3213

  • Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority

    The regulator, with a searchable public database of licensed retirement homes and their compliance history.

    1-855-275-7472

  • Ontario Retirement Communities Association

    An industry group with a find-a-home tool. It says its members hold over 90 percent of licensed retirement suites in Ontario.

    1-888-263-5556

  • Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association

    An association of non-profit housing providers across Ontario. The site does not confirm life lease listings, so ask before relying on it for that.

    1-800-297-6660

  • Alzheimer Society of Ontario

    The provincial body. The page checked gives contact details only, so call to ask what is offered near you.

    416-967-5900

  • Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee

    Acts for adults found mentally incapable and administers some estates. Also has guidance on powers of attorney. Five regional offices.

Money, legal and real estate rules

Directories and regulators are a starting point, not an endorsement. For the Law Society of Ontario referral service and the provincial financial regulator, go to their own sites.

  • Ontario Bar Association

    The Ontario branch of the Canadian Bar Association. Its site has a find-a-lawyer search by area of law.

  • Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO)

    The regulator of real estate agents and brokerages. Search for a registrant and read its guides for buyers and sellers, including deposit insurance.

  • Ontario Real Estate Association

    The trade association behind standard forms and member programs. Consumer guidance on the site was not confirmed.

  • Municipal Property Assessment Corporation

    The assessment authority. Its AboutMyProperty portal shows your assessment and how to request a reconsideration.

  • Condominium Authority of Ontario

    Owner guides, the online tribunal for certain disputes and the condo registry.

  • Tarion

    Administers Ontario's new home warranty, relevant if you buy from a builder.

  • Landlord and Tenant Board

    Resolves residential tenancy disputes under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006. Relevant to care homes and land lease communities.

  • CRA My Account

    Online access to your Canada Revenue Agency information. Someone acting for another person must use Represent a Client.

  • Mortgage Professionals Canada

    The national mortgage industry association. Its consumer broker finder is at findmeabroker.ca.

  • FP Canada

    The financial planning standards body, with a directory of certified planners.

    1-800-305-9886

  • Credit Canada

    A non-profit credit counselling agency with free counselling.

    1-800-267-2272

Getting the home ready to sell

Verified options are thin here: no stager directory, cleaner or packer could be confirmed. In and Out and ONESource, listed under move managers, both mention pre-sale staging or packing.

A note on these listings

Ontario Downsizing does not accept payment for directory listings and does not endorse any business listed here. Hours, services and phone numbers change, so confirm details directly before you go. Each entry comes from the group's own website.

Need a hand with the sale side of your move? We can put you in touch with an agent on the operating team at eXp Realty. For the full plan, see the Downsizing Guide, and for fees and taxes see costs and money.