How much is a driveway dispute worth, really? Think twice before you sue!

by admin | Mar 18, 2023 | 2023 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

“Why would anyone pursue seemingly hopeless litigation over the right of way to a mutual driveway?” wonders Bob Aaron. This is the story of a $150,000 driveway. Hayley Fromstein and James Albiez own a house on Northcliffe Blvd. in Toronto. Their neighbour to the south...

When a real estate deal falls through, you should weigh whether litigation is worth it

by admin | Mar 4, 2023 | 2023 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Why resort to the courts when a transaction involving a sale of a house falls through? This case shows it can be unnecessarily costly, says Bob Aaron. Is it worth taking someone to court over a failed house purchase, assuming there appear to be grounds to do so? A...

Toronto has another vacant unit tax and it’s complicated, scary

by admin | Feb 18, 2023 | 2023 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Along comes complicated federal Underused Housing Tax, just as property owners are busy filing returns for the city’s vacant unit tax, says Bob Aaron. As if property owners in Toronto didn’t have their hands full filing returns for the City’s vacant unit tax, along...

Toronto’s vacant home tax a surprise, its exemptions confusing

by admin | Feb 4, 2023 | 2023 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Empty homes face tax of one per cent of provincial assessment, but some do not, writes Bob Aaron. The deadline for declarations has been extended. The City of Toronto vacant home tax has caught many owners by surprise, and understanding all of the available exemptions...

Found money in a house? That doesn’t necessarily entitle you to it

by admin | Jan 23, 2023 | 2023 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Instance of money being found in Bracebridge, Ont., focuses issue of unclaimed property in Ontario. It’s not always finders keepers, says Bob Aaron. When I heard that the Ontario Provincial Police in Bracebridge were looking for the owner of “a significant amount of...

Will you have to pay Toronto’s new Vacant Home Tax?

by admin | Jan 7, 2023 | 2023 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

The 1 per cent charge on homes that go unoccupied for more than 6 months of the previous year is still a work in progress, write Bob Aaron. The City of Toronto’s new Vacant Home Tax is now in effect on Toronto residences. With certain exemptions, the tax applies to...