Ghosts among reasons to scare up legal advice

by admin | Dec 26, 2014 | 2014 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca You may be obliged to disclose or discover murders, suicides or hauntings If a property in Ontario has been stigmatized as a result of a murder, suicide, death, haunting — or other unpleasant event — must this be disclosed to a purchaser? That...

Court requires full disclosure in condo status certificate

by admin | Dec 13, 2014 | 2014 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Illegal third floor townhouse unit allowed to remain A major decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal last week has raised the bar on the level of due diligence required by condominium corporations in preparing status certificates. The origins of...

Builder’s board can legally limit right to sue

by admin | Nov 15, 2014 | 2014 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Court of appeal rules against owners of Fleet St. condo who argued agreements between developer and directors it appointed should not apply Can a developer’s board of directors — appointed to serve at a new condo until owners can vote in their...

New tax scrutiny for inherited real estate

by admin | Nov 12, 2014 | 2014 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Expert advice the best way to deal with will-bestowed inheritance Using excluded property will efficient way to avoid probate fees The Ontario government is cracking down on estate trustees who fail to declare accurately the full value of the...

New-home buyers need better protection

by admin | Nov 1, 2014 | 2014 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Tarion, Law Society, Government failing in consumer protection role The 150 purchasers in the failed Centrium condominium project might not have lost their combined deposits of $14.9 million had the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Tarion...

Agents on the hook for illegal in-law suites

by admin | Oct 4, 2014 | 2014 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Discipline hearings signal need for fuller knowledge about two-unit homes The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), the body that licenses and governs real estate agents, is cracking down on representatives who advertise two-unit homes without...