Two plots and one man’s case of mistaken identity

by admin | Oct 30, 2010 | 2010 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

One of my all-time favourite court cases deals with the Edmonton family who were well into building their dream home when they discovered that they didn t own the lot where their new house was under construction. The story began back in 1981, when Tom Broumas told his...

OREA forms continue to confuse lawyers and consumers

by admin | Oct 16, 2010 | 2010 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca When does a real estate deal close when the deed is registered, when the keys and money change hands or when the seller moves out of the house? This question was raised by London, Ont., lawyer Lorne Campbell in response to my Oct. 2 column...

OREA is up to date with 1980s technology

by admin | Oct 2, 2010 | 2010 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Virtually all agreements of purchase and sale for homes or condominiums in Ontario are prepared on standard forms published by the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA). Unfortunately, those forms have a great number of shortcomings which do...

Undisclosed costs can really add up

by admin | Sep 18, 2010 | 2010 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca It s hard to think of any consumer purchase contract where the price on the front page is not the full purchase price, where additional charges are unlimited, and where the seller has no legal obligation to make full disclosure of extra charges...

City bylaw leaves permits up to homeowners

by admin | Sep 4, 2010 | 2010 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca In many parts of the City of Toronto, houses were built so close together that when one owner wanted to repair or improve one side of his or her house, it was often necessary to access a neighbour’s property. That was the concern of my client...

Mortgage fraud fallout working way through courts

by admin | Aug 21, 2010 | 2010 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Mortgage fraud may no longer be on the front pages, but the fallout from hundreds of past fraud cases is still wending its way through Ontario courts. The most recent decision in this area of law was released in June by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and...