Higher property assessment doesn’t necessarily mean higher taxes

by admin | Sep 29, 2012 | 2012 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Ontario property owners may soon be in for a shock when they receive their new property assessment notice, but it doesn’t necessarily mean their taxes are going up. Sometime this fall, all Ontario property owners are scheduled to receive notice...

Beware of the ‘rogue builders’

by admin | Sep 15, 2012 | 2012 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca A decision of the Ontario Court of Justice last week highlights the importance of buying a new home only from a registered builder, and the risks to the buyer if the home is not enrolled with the Tarion Warranty Corp. Back in September 2005,...

Case highlights flaws in landlord, tenant rules

by admin | Sep 1, 2012 | 2012 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

A decision of Justice Ted Matlow in the Ontario Superior Court last month contains valuable lessons for residential landlords and tenants, along with a strong message for the Ontario government, the Landlord and Tenant Board and the officials charged with making rules...

Busting the myths about the Seller Property Information Statement

by admin | Aug 18, 2012 | 2012 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca As a result of its promotion by the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA), the Seller Property Information Statement (SPIS) continues to be a source of never-ending business for litigation lawyers and endless grief for unlucky buyers and...

Condo Act doesn’t need major revamp

by admin | Aug 4, 2012 | 2012 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca In June, the McGuinty government announced a public consultation process to “modernize” the 1998 Condominium Act to meet the needs of owners, residents and other stakeholders in the rapidly-evolving industry. The announcement came on the heels...

Smoking issues plague condo corporations

by admin | Jul 21, 2012 | 2012 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Condominium corporations have a duty to accommodate residents who have sensitivity to second-hand cigarette smoke, according to a recent decision of the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal. Corporations who fail in their duty may well be...