Ontario court upholds condo rule banning short-term rentals

by admin | Dec 31, 2016 | 2016 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Ottawa owners breached condo declaration by renting unit out through Airbnb website, reinforcing earlier court case involving Toronto condo. Condo owners who rented their suite for short-term stays violated the building’s rules, an Ontario court...

Home inspections are your best friend: Property Law

by admin | Dec 17, 2016 | 2016 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca When a home inspection is waived prior to purchasing a house, it is very difficult to win a lawsuit down the line. What happens if you discover water flowing below the floor in a newly-purchased house and you have to completely gut the basement...

Tax burden of housing sector must be shared by all: Bob Aaron

by admin | Dec 3, 2016 | 2016 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Toronto property taxes are so low the city has been left with a gaping budget hole that must be filled. Everything was going smoothly on the purchase of a St. Catharines home earlier this year — until I checked the property taxes. While working...

Supreme Court upholds title-insurance victory

by admin | Nov 19, 2016 | 2016 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Landmark case protects homebuyers with title insurance from hidden physical defects that make the home unmarketable. The Supreme Court of Canada has written the final chapter in one of the most important title-insurance cases of this generation....

What if my prospective condo corporation is involved in litigation?

by admin | Nov 5, 2016 | 2016 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Although the buyer could face extra costs, don’t write off the opportunity just yet. What should a buyer do when the status certificate for their condominium purchase shows that the corporation is involved in litigation? That was the question a...

Lawyers selling homes could upset the realty apple cart: Bob Aaron

by admin | Oct 22, 2016 | 2016 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca New real-estate company in Picton is owned by local law firm, allowing it to shake up the traditional commission-fee structure. An interesting development in Picton, Ont., provides a glimpse into a possible future business model for real-estate...