CMHC moved to a standardized risk-based pricing approach for all multi-unit mortgage loan insurance products (MLI Market and MLI Select), effective July 14, 2025. Base premiums on standard rental housing now range from 2.60% (≤65% LTV purchase) to 7.00% (>90% LTV construction), with a +0.25% surcharge per 5-year amortization extension beyond 25 years. MLI Select offers premium discounts up to 30% based on social-outcome points. CMHC also removed rental-achievement holdbacks for MLI Market submissions on July 3, 2025, allowing advances up to 85% during construction.
CMHC's July 14, 2025 update reshapes the economics of every multi-unit project — premiums are now risk-priced, amortization extensions cost more, and MLI Select rewards specific social outcomes with tiered discounts.
Why the Change
The revised pricing aligns CMHC's premiums with OSFI's Mortgage Insurer Capital Adequacy Test (MICAT) framework taking full effect January 1, 2026. MICAT requires CMHC to hold more capital against riskier loans, and CMHC is passing that capital cost through the new premium grid.
Base Premium Grid (effective July 14, 2025)
Standard Rental Housing
| LTV | Construction | Purchase / Refinance |
|---|
| ≤ 65% | 3.25% | 2.60% |
| 65–75% | mid-range | mid-range |
| 75–90% | mid-range | mid-range |
| > 90% | 7.00% | 6.15% |
Other Shelter Models (student / seniors / supportive)
| LTV | Construction | Purchase / Refinance |
|---|
| ≤ 65% | 6.55% | 6.30% |
| > 90% | 9.00% | 8.75% |
Other shelter models pay significantly higher base premiums because they're treated as higher-risk asset classes — though they're often the strongest MLI Select discount candidates.
Amortization Surcharge
+0.25% on the base premium for every 5-year extension beyond 25 years.
| Amortization | Surcharge |
|---|
| 25 years | 0% |
| 30 years | +0.25% |
| 35 years | +0.50% |
| 40 years | +0.75% |
| 50 years | +1.25% |
A construction loan at 90% LTV on a 50-year amort now pays a 7.00% + 1.25% = 8.25% base premium before any MLI Select discounts.
MLI Select Discounts
MLI Select awards points for affordability, accessibility, and energy efficiency social outcomes. The point totals translate to premium discounts:
| Points Achieved | Premium Discount |
|---|
| ≥ 50 | 10% |
| ≥ 75 | 20% |
| ≥ 100 | 30% (maximum) |
At 100+ points the full MLI Select package is available: enhanced LTV (up to 95% LTC for affordable rental), 50-year amortization, limited-recourse structures, and the maximum 30% premium discount. For projects that can hit the point thresholds, MLI Select remains by far the most cost-effective insurance route.
Rental Achievement Holdback Removed (MLI Market, effective July 3, 2025)
For MLI Market (standard) submissions, CMHC has removed the rental-achievement holdback — lenders can now advance up to 85% of the loan amount during construction without holding back funds pending rental targets. This materially improves construction cash flow on standard rental projects.
MLI Select holdbacks remain case-by-case — assessed on a project-specific basis.
Transition Rules
The new grid applies to applications submitted on or after July 14, 2025. No grandfathering for earlier applications.
Net Effect on a Real Project
A 90% LTV, 40-year amortization construction loan for an affordable rental project hitting 100+ MLI Select points:
- Base premium: 7.00%
- Amort surcharge: +0.75%
- Subtotal: 7.75%
- MLI Select 30% discount: −2.33%
- Final premium: ~5.43%
Without MLI Select social outcomes, the same project pays 7.75% — a 232 bps difference.
Your Next Steps
- Pro forma every project under the new grid — old pro formas built on the prior premium schedule will overstate returns
- Score MLI Select points aggressively — affordability/accessibility/energy commitments can shift the premium by hundreds of basis points
- Use the removed rental-achievement holdback to improve construction cash flow on MLI Market projects
- Read the deep dive → CMHC MLI Select Guide