Ottawa owners breached condo declaration by renting unit out through Airbnb website, reinforcing earlier court case involving Toronto condo.
2016 Toronto Star Property Law Columns
Home inspections are your best friend: Property Law
When a home inspection is waived prior to purchasing a house, it is very difficult to win a lawsuit down the line.
Tax burden of housing sector must be shared by all: Bob Aaron
Toronto property taxes are so low the city has been left with a gaping budget hole that must be filled.
Supreme Court upholds title-insurance victory
Landmark case protects homebuyers with title insurance from hidden physical defects that make the home unmarketable.
What if my prospective condo corporation is involved in litigation?
Although the buyer could face extra costs, don’t write off the opportunity just yet.
Lawyers selling homes could upset the realty apple cart: Bob Aaron
New real-estate company in Picton is owned by local law firm, allowing it to shake up the traditional commission-fee structure.
Make sure home seller’s promises are met before closing
Court decision emphasizes it’s the house buyer, not the seller, who is most at risk.
Be wary of buying illegally built homes
Tarion’s enforcement arm is set to target real-estate agents who are involved in selling unregistered homes.
Tarion needs to increase homebuyers deposit protection
Tarion’s limit for deposit protection — $20,000 on condos and $40,000 on homes — hasn’t changed in years.
Extravagant fees crush legal basement apartments
Over-charging homeowners to help intensify urban housing defeats the purpose.
Tenants shouldn’t be able to ‘game the system’
Too many renters are getting away with not paying rent, then appealing eviction orders.
Dangerous real-estate document a path to court
Since 1997, 94 court cases in Ontario have been pinned to the Seller Property Information Statement.
EasyFund could have difficulty getting off the ground
Web-based money transfer system’s goal is to streamline real-estate closings. But is it needed?
Builder bankruptcy reveals warranty shortcomings
Tarion warranties need to be improved, and a forthcoming report on improving consumer protections should address delayed occupancy compensation
Tips to reduce, postpone or avoid probate taxes
Some simple solutions to help keep the taxman’s fingers out of your pockets.
Get a survey even if your agent says no
Only a survey prepared by an Ontario land surveyor can confirm that the cottage is situated inside the appropriate land boundaries.
No need for third-party hand in closing funds
Proposed scheme full of unanswered questions on money safeguards, timing of transfers and discharging prior mortgages.
Regulating Ontario’s home inspectors is taking too long
Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca In this province, anyone with a business card and a flashlight can be a home inspector. But after more than three years of study, the Liberals are still not ready to proceed with legislation. There’s good news and bad news for homebuyers...
Be wary of rebate rules before buying a home
Until now, when a cousin, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, friend or business associate is registered on title for mortgage purposes, none of the buyers can get the rebate.
Fee for land transfer registration amounts to tax on a tax
‘Administration fee’ that will now be charged on municipal land transfer tax is $75 — plus HST