City should scrap right-of-entry permits

by admin | Nov 11, 2017 | 2017 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca With houses built so close together, permits to access neighbours’ space are too onerous. With so many Toronto homes built within a few feet — or even inches — of each other, it can be a problem when an owner needs access to their neighbour’s...

Government has no excuse for delaying consumer protection sections of new Condominium Act

by admin | Oct 28, 2017 | 2017 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca There is no timetable for many key consumer protection amendments to the former condo act. With parts of the new Condominium Act coming into force on Nov. 1, prominent Toronto condominium lawyer Audrey Loeb has expressed concern over the...

Delayed action on consumer protection for homeowners a sad reflection on provincial government

by admin | Oct 14, 2017 | 2017 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Ontario consumers will have to wait until 2020 for more regulations governing home and condo deposits. The Ontario government acted with speed in imposing a new non-resident tax on real estate purchases. But when it comes to protecting consumer...

Condo corporations need to prepare plans to deal with marijuana use before it becomes a problem

by admin | Sep 30, 2017 | 2017 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Questions are being raised about whether landlords will be able to restrict cannabis in residential units. When marijuana becomes legal next summer, landlords, tenants and condominium owners can expect an increase in disputes related to both...

Agents must review home inspections with purchasers

by admin | Sep 9, 2017 | 2017 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca This case is a lesson for real estate agents. A decision from the Ontario Superior Court in July highlights the obligation of real estate agents to review home inspections with their clients. Suzanne Powell and her mother Joyce Powell wanted to...

When a property survey is more important than the deed

by admin | Aug 26, 2017 | 2017 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca A 2015 study showed that of 1.2 million freehold residential properties in the Greater Toronto Area, almost half of them have significant boundary issues, most of which would not be covered by title insurance. Is a property survey important? Is...