Bats in the Bedroom Are Not the Home Seller’s Fault, Says a B.C. Court

by admin | Nov 13, 2021 | 2021 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

A fair ruling or is it just downright batty? A colony of bats discovered by purchasers inside their home sparked a dispute that ended in a B.C. court with Judge Judith Doulis pronouncing it “an archetypical case of buyer’s remorse.” Emmeline and Kevin Van Geemen...

‘The Exorcist’ History of Their House Surprised, Entertained, New Owners

by admin | Oct 30, 2021 | 2021 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

One spooky surprise taught these homeowners an important lesson about disclosure. When Danielle Witt and Ben Rockey-Harris were successful with their less-than-asking-price offer on a house in Cottage City, Md., just outside of Washington, D.C., they were very...

Help with bad tenants is on the way for condo owners

by admin | Oct 16, 2021 | 2021 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Condominium owners who rent out their units without credit and reference checks run the risk of being financially responsible for their tenant’s misbehaviour. Heidi Yee Hui owns a condominium on Carlton St., in Toronto, which she leased out to a male tenant earlier...

Do you have a licence for your home’s front yard parking?

by admin | Oct 2, 2021 | 2021 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Last September, a client of mine whom I will call Meghan purchased a beautifully renovated home in Midtown Toronto for a price well above asking. Built in the 1920s on a 30-foot lot, the home came with a private drive. The MLS listing shows three parking spaces, and...

Homebuyers get support from Superior Court about pre-closing damages to a property

by admin | Sep 18, 2021 | 2021 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

A Superior Court decision in August provides valuable guidance on how buyers and sellers should act when a property suffers substantial damage before closing. In November, 2019, Sative Yan-Ling Tsui and Jonathan Simon Levert signed an agreement to buy a three-level...