When it comes to surveys, size matters

by admin | Apr 11, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Christopher and Lindsay Taggart were dismayed to discover that the lot underneath their newly constructed home was 1,000 square feet smaller than it was represented to be. The home is located in a new subdivision in Maple Ridge, B.C. Behind their lot was a parcel of...

Purchase offer should ask that the advertised square footage be warranted

by admin | Apr 4, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca What happens if you buy a house and it turns out to be more than 18 per cent smaller than the advertised size? That’s what happened in the summer of 2003 to Bruce and Karen Meagher after they bought a house in New Westminster, B.C., from...

Thumbs down on offensive Illinois law

by admin | Mar 28, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca A new American law set to take effect June 1, 2009 will require anyone selling a residential property in Cook County, Ill. which includes Chicago to provide a thumbprint or fingerprint. Under the cumbersome moniker of the Cook County Residential...

Perhaps Health Canada should review UFFI ban

by admin | Mar 21, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Over the last 18 months, approximately 700 older homes in Ontario have been insulated with a product containing urea formaldehyde foam insulation, or UFFI. The problem is that the use of UFFI has been illegal in Canada since it was banned in...

Legislation carries some scary powers

by admin | Mar 14, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca As part of its green energy legislation, the McGuinty government is poised to shred the right to privacy that all citizens enjoy in their lawyer’s offices solicitor-client privilege. It is described in a 2001 decision of the Supreme Court...