MLI Select

An innovative new multi-unit mortgage loan insurance product focused on affordability, accessibility, and climate compatibility.

Access reduced premiums and longer amortization periods based on your level of commitment to affordability, accessibility, and climate compatibility using MLI Select.

MLI Select uses a point system to offer insurance incentives based on affordability, energy efficiency, and accessibility. Incentives are available for new construction and existing properties.

The more committed you are to social and environmental outcomes, the better the incentives. You can choose to focus on a single area like affordability or combine commitments to increase your points and incentives.

If you wish to learn more about MLI Select and how the incentives works, don’t hesitate to reach out to your CMHC rep!

Download fact sheet (PDF)

How the MLI Select point system works

Use the charts below to help you determine your MLI Select score.

Existing properties - Point Distribution
Affordability – Rent Levels (10 year affordability commitment¹)			Energy Efficiency and GHGs Reductions over current performance			Accessibility²
50 points	70 Points	100 Points	20 Points	35 Points	50 Points	20 Points	30 Points
40% of units at 30% of median renter income	60% of units at 30% of median renter income	80% of units at 30% of median renter income	15% reduction	25% reduction	40%  reduction	There is a requirement for all levels that all units in the building (ie., both accessible and non-accessible units) are 100% visitable* in accordance with Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standard B651:23 and common areas are barrier free in accordance with B651:23
40% of units at 30% of median renter income	60% of units at 30% of median renter income	80% of units at 30% of median renter income	15% reduction	25% reduction	40%  reduction	Min. 15% of the units are considered accessible in accordance with the CSA standard B651:23 OR Min. 15% of units are universal design. OR The building receives Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification v.4.0 (60%-79% score)	Min. 15% of units are considered accessible in accordance with the CSA standard B651:23 and Min. 85% of units are universal design.  OR 100% of units are universal design OR 100% of units are accessible in accordance with the CSA standard B651:23 OR The building receives Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification v.4.0 "Gold"  (score of 80% or better)

*CSA definition of visitable - In relation to residential accommodation, any dwelling [unit] that offers a basic level of access to accommodate visitors such as people who use a wheeled mobility aid, people who are elderly, or residents who might have a temporary disability. Visitable dwellings allow a person to enter a dwelling safely, manoeuvre independently throughout the visitable level, and use the toilet facilities.

Existing properties - Insurance Flexibilities
	Premium	LTV	DCR³	Amortization	Recourse or Limited Recourse	Replacement Reserve
Min. 50 pts	Fees and premiums at-a-glance	Up to 85%	Min. 1.1	Up to 40 years	Recourse	Discretionary
Min. 70 pts		Up to 95%		Up to 45 years	Recourse
Min. 100 pts		Up to 95%		Up to 50 years	Limited-Recourse

New Construction - Point Distribution
Affordability – Rent Levels (10 year affordability commitment¹)			Energy Efficiency Reductions over 2020 NECB / 2020 NBC			Accessibility²
50 points	70 Points	100 Points	20 Points	35 Points	50 Points	20 Points	30 Points
10% of units at 30% of median renter income	15% of units at 30% of median renter income	25% of units at 30% of median renter income	Min. 25% better than NECB Tier 1 OR Min. 20% better than NBC Tier 1	Min. 50% better than NECB Tier 1 OR Min. 40% better than NBC Tier 1	Min. 60% better than NECB Tier 1 OR Min. 70% better than NBC Tier 1	There is a requirement for all levels that all units in the building (ie., both accessible and non-accessible units) are 100% visitable* in accordance with Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standard B651:23 and common areas are barrier free in accordance with B651:23
10% of units at 30% of median renter income	15% of units at 30% of median renter income	25% of units at 30% of median renter income				Min. 15% of the units are considered accessible in accordance with the CSA standard B651:23 OR Min. 15% of units are universal design. OR The building receives Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification v.4.0 (60%-79% score)	Min. 15% of units are considered accessible in accordance with the CSA standard B651:23 and Min. 85% of units are universal design. OR 100% of units are universal design OR 100% of units are accessible in accordance with the CSA standard B651:23 OR The building receives Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification v.4.0 "Gold"  (score of 80% or better)

New Construction - Insurance Flexibilities
	Premium	LTC	DCR³	Amortization	Recourse or Limited Recourse	Replacement Reserve
Min. 50 pts	Fees and premiums at-a-glance	Up to 95%	Min. 1.1	Up to 40 years	Recourse	Discretionary
Min. 70 pts				Up to 45 years	Recourse
Min. 100 pts				Up to 50 years	Limited-Recourse

¹For borrowers making an affordability commitment of 20+ years, an additional 30 points are awarded
²Buildings must be 100% Visitable (CSA B651-2023 Visitability)
³Min. DCR of 1.10 for standard rental housing, 1.20 for other shelter models, 1.4 for non-residential space

Is your project eligible?

Affordability criteria

Your project must meet specific affordability requirements. Under MLI Select, affordability qualification is based on median renter income (XLSX) for both existing properties and new construction projects. If renter income data isn’t available for your market, we will accept income data from comparable centres, provincial data or comparable rural centres.

Affordability criteria apply for a minimum of 10 years. Borrowers who commit to 20 years receive an additional 30 points.

For the full length of the commitment, base affordable rents for the designated affordable units must not increase by an amount greater than the annual increase permitted under applicable legislation/regulations. If no legislation or regulations apply, annual rent increases are limited to the applicable consumer price index (CPI).

CMHC publishes the lowest applicable CPI per province and territory each year.

IMPORTANT

For 2026 affordable rent increases, if approved lenders have already provided borrowers with an applicable CPI, that figure can continue to be used this year. If no CPI has been provided, lenders are encouraged to share the information below with borrowers. This information may be used for rent increase notifications and for lender verification of annual rent increases for the remainder of 2026.
Beginning in 2027, CMHC will require the use of the lowest CPI for applicable properties. This requirement will apply to 2027 rent increases and all subsequent years. CMHC will update the table below annually.

Recommended applicable CPI percentages for 2026 affordable rent increases
Location	CPI % to be used when applicable*
Alberta	1.3%
British Columbia	3.0%
Manitoba	3.6%
New Brunswick	5.8%
Newfoundland and Labrador	0.6%
Nova Scotia	4.7%
Ontario	2.9%
Prince Edward Island	0.5%
Quebec	5.7%
Saskatchewan	4.5%
Northwest Territories	4.3%
Nunavut	4.3%
Yukon	4.3%

* The above table is for reference purposes only. It provides guidance on the applicable CPI percentage that can be used for 2026 rent increases, if applicable to the subject property.

Energy efficiency criteria

Accessibility criteria

Resources

Frequently asked questions

Will you still offer MLI Flex? If not, when will it end?
- MLI Select came into effect as of March 7, 2022 and has replaced our previous MLI Flex product. Applications for MLI Flex are no longer accepted.
Will I have to submit additional documentation for the commitments being made?
- Yes, depending on the commitments you are making such as climate or accessibility, additional documentation will be required. Please refer to the MLI Select required documentation guide (PDF).
How can I find the median renter income for my market?
- Median renter income data can be found here.
How will energy efficiency commitments be monitored?
- At time of application, the Approved Lender must submit to CMHC Underwriting documentation provided by the borrower that demonstrates the borrower’s commitment to achieving the Energy Efficiency Criteria.
- Within 60 days of the final advance, the Approved Lender must obtain from the borrower a signed attestation stating that the Energy Efficiency Criteria has been satisfied.
Will CMHC consider/accept modeling against local building codes instead of NECB or NBC?
- In an effort to standardize our products, we will not be accepting modeling against local building codes. However, and in addition to national codes, CMHC will accept a number of building certificates to demonstrate adherence to climate commitments.
Will I still get an energy efficiency rebate on my premium?
- As MLI Select offers reduced premiums as well as other incentives for energy efficiency commitments, CMHC will no longer offer energy efficiency rebates.
- Applications previously approved under MLI Flex or our Market MLI prior to the launch of MLI Select will still be eligible for the energy efficiency premium rebate.
Are there technical requirements for the energy simulation (standards, qualifications, P.Eng. stamp, etc.)?
- Yes, the energy simulation must be prepared by a qualified professional.
  - A qualified professional can be a professional engineer, architect, certified engineering technologist or a certified energy manager for Part 3 construction.
  - A residential energy advisor who is accredited by Natural Resources Canada, or equivalent, can prepare the energy simulation for low-rise (Part 9) and small multi-unit residential buildings with less than 4 stories.
  - CMHC accepted energy simulation software options are compliant with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 140.
Is fuel switching still allowed when modelling against a NECB 2020 compliant reference building?
- Yes, it’s allowed. Our energy and greenhouse gas minimum requirements encourage performance improvements over a baseline building permitted under NECB 2020 and local codes and regulations. The baseline building design may be modelled with natural gas space heating and domestic hot water heating systems (if permitted by code) and the proposed actual building design may be modelled with any code-compliant alternative system needed to achieve the requisite energy and greenhouse gas savings. The reference building must also be reasonable or commonly built for the jurisdiction and permitted by local code.
Can Photovoltaic Panels (PV Systems) be used to qualify for energy efficiency points?
- PV systems may be considered when they form part of an overall approach that includes energy efficiency and conservation measures designed to reduce building energy consumption and GHG emissions; however, PV systems will not be accepted as a sole source used to qualify. The maximum energy savings provided by PV systems will be capped at 15% of the total energy reduction. To be considered, the PV system must be installed to supply energy directly to the building (i.e., behind the meter installation) and all components of the system must be owned by the building operator. This aligns with products intent of ensuring that energy efficiency commitments result in reduced energy consumption at the building level.
How do we model space use change? For example, a non-air-conditioned parking garage into residential rental suites.
- To model space use change for an energy simulation, the existing building should be modified to include the number of units that will be added. The additional units should be modeled using the same energy consumption as existing units in the building. This provides a better comparison between the existing building and proposed changes.
If a rental building uses renewable natural gas instead of standard natural gas, will this help reduce its greenhouse gas score?
- No, we do not permit the switching of emissions factors for renewable natural gas between the reference building model and proposed building model. Energy provided from the burning of natural gas must be modelled using a consistent emissions factor.
Can the use of low-flow water fixtures and energy efficient appliances be used to help meet the energy efficiency requirements under MLI Select?
- Yes, they can. The energy modeling report provided must compare a baseline energy consumption and hot water usage for standard appliances against the proposed low-flow and energy efficient appliances. It also needs to list the type and number of each appliance and the reductions in hot water usage or energy consumption each appliance provides.