How a surprise court ruling over joint ownership of a home left estate beneficiary with nothing

by admin | Dec 16, 2024 | 2024 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

One of the most important real estate cases of the year was released by the Ontario Court of Appeal this month. It upsets the commonly-held interpretation of joint tenancy, a form of property ownership (not tenancy) which provides that on the death of one joint owner,...

A Toronto Homeowner Died. Then a Stranger Tried to Drain Her Home of its Equity

by admin | Dec 2, 2024 | 2024 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

A ruling of the Ontario Superior Court in October serves as a warning to those who would commit mortgage fraud that they will be treated harshly by the justice system. Olga Taraschuk owned a house on Florence Avenue in Toronto. She inherited the house from her mother...

Tarion proposal that would penalize pre-construction buyers is fatally flawed

by admin | Nov 13, 2024 | 2024 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Tarion — Ontario’s consumer protection organization for newly built homes — wants to reduce the amount of deposit protection for buyers of pre-construction freehold homes who fail to register their purchase agreements with the program. Deposit protection covers buyers...

What is a cash-for-keys agreement between a tenant and a landlord? Should they even be allowed?

by admin | Aug 3, 2024 | 2024 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

When a landlord wants to recover possession of a rental unit without waiting months to get a hearing, such an agreement can be used … or abused. Cash for keys? That’s one way around getting a tenant to vacate. Is it time for the Ontario government to make...

What is a ‘road licence agreement’ and do I need to care?

by admin | Jul 6, 2024 | 2024 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Township of Lake of Bays implemented a requirement for property owners to enter into an expensive road licence agreement. Is this right? Bob Aaron thinks not. Access to Lake of Bays may cost cottagers more if the Township has its way. But Bob Aaron thinks you should...

Condo troubles: When is an owner so unruly, they just have to leave?

by admin | Jun 22, 2024 | 2024 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

“Unacceptable misbehaviour” of occupant due to “serious long-standing substance abuse illness,” in judge’s words, led condo corporation to try to evict man. Condo trouble: community living can present challenges which seldom arise in the context of single-family...