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   Home > Mortgages > Payment Options > Skip a Payment

Skip a Payment

When you need a financial breather – whether it's the arrival of a new baby, the need to care for a sick relative or sudden and unexpected expenses – you have the option of skipping a mortgage payment.

Take a Break Option*
Take a Break lets you skip up to one month of mortgage payments (principal and interest) in a calendar year. The amount of the skipped payment, together with the balance of your current mortgage, cannot exceed the amount of your original mortgage.

You can choose to skip:

  • One monthly payment.
  • Up to two consecutive bi-weekly or semi-monthly payments.
  • Up to four consecutive weekly payments.

Family Care Option*
Skip up to four months of mortgage payments (principal and interest) in a calendar year if either you or your partner are on leave from your place of employment to care for a new baby or ailing family member.

You can choose to skip:

  • Four consecutive monthly payments.
  • Eight consecutive bi-weekly or semi-monthly payments.
  • Sixteen consecutive weekly payments.

Other Things to Keep in Mind
If you use the Family Care or Take a Break option to skip a payment, your payment will not be affected during the current term of your mortgage. Instead, interest is added to the principal balance. You will pay more interest, so it is important to consider these options in light of your individual financial circumstances.

You can choose to pay back your skipped payments at any time, without charge and without affecting your current mortgage prepayment privileges.


*Take a Break and Family Care options apply to principal and interest payments on conventional and GE/CMHC-insured mortgages for owner-occupied single-family dwellings only, including condominiums and duplexes. For mortgages insured against default, customers must have prepaid principal at least equal to the amount of payment(s) to be skipped. Any mortgage insurance premiums and tax payments cannot be skipped. For MICC mortgages, only the Take a Break option is available. The Family Care option is not available to self-employed individuals. Customers currently receiving Accident & Illness Mortgage Protection (provided by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada) are not eligible for skipped payments. Interest for the skipped payment is added to the principal. The balance of your current mortgage plus the skipped payment must not exceed the original amount of your mortgage with us. For conventional uninsured mortgages, the balance of your current mortgage plus the skipped payment must not exceed 75% of the lesser of your home ’s present value or the original amount of your mortgage with us.


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