Shocked by stories of the “neighbours from hell”

by admin | Apr 16, 2011 | 2011 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca In my column on April 2, I wrote about a study by Halifax Home Insurance in the U.K. which reported that more than 360,000 Britons, or one in 10 people, moved home because of irritating neighbours. I expressed my doubts that that statistic would...

In U.K., 1 in 10 move due to “nasty neighbours”

by admin | Apr 2, 2011 | 2011 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca At any given time, at least some of the courts in Ontario are occupied with disputes between neighbours. Based on the current law reports that come across my desk, these disputes usually involve noise, boundary disputes, weeds, garbage, animals,...

Builder, purchasers fight over increase in closing charges

by admin | Mar 19, 2011 | 2011 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca A Toronto-area builder has filed a notice of appeal after losing two small claims court cases to new condominium buyers who sued to recover thousands of dollars in “unreal” closing charges. The successful plaintiffs were among as many as 244...

Maple Leaf Square – Estimating unassessed taxes a tricky business

by admin | Mar 5, 2011 | 2011 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Maple Leaf Square is a new condominium development on Bremner Blvd. built by a subsidiary of Lanterra Developments. The mixed-use project includes 872 residential suites. Closings of the units have been taking place in the last month, and...

Good fences torn down make bad neighbours

by admin | Feb 19, 2011 | 2011 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca “Good fences make good neighbours” is an old English proverb made popular by Robert Frost in his 1914 poem “Mending Wall.” It was quoted again last year in an Ontario court case by Justice Wailan Low. She was adjudicating a boundary dispute...

Floor plans are most important document in buying a condo

by admin | Feb 5, 2011 | 2011 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca The Park Lake Residences condominium project is located on Lake Shore Blvd. W. at Ellis Ave., near the foot of Windermere. Built by the Pemberton Group, it consists of twin glass and concrete towers, one 18 storeys and the other 19, joined by a...