Case must be strong if you decide to sue lawyer

by admin | Jun 13, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Sonia James learned the hard way that it’s not always a good idea to sue your lawyer and blame your misfortunes on him or her. In late 2002, James signed an agreement to buy a house under construction in Whitby. Just before closing the following...

How to create a legal second suite

by admin | Jun 6, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca One of the biggest mysteries of the local real estate market is the legality of basement apartments – also known as granny flats, in-law suites, accessory apartments or non-retrofit units. Toronto bylaws permit basement apartments in all single...

Loss of part of deposit teaches a hard lesson

by admin | May 30, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Barbara and Michael learned the hard way that pre-construction deposits paid to builders of condominium units are only protected by the Tarion Warranty Corp. up to a maximum of $20,000. Barbara emailed me recently to say that three years ago she...

Court rules against aboriginal land claim

by admin | May 23, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Injunction granted after protesters stall construction at Hagersville home-building site Last month, the Ontario Superior Court in Hamilton granted an injunction against two aboriginal groups preventing them from entering the property of a local...

Mark Freedman wrote the book on condo law

by admin | May 16, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca The Canadian condominium industry and the real estate bar lost one of its towering giants last weekend with the passing of Mark Freedman, a senior partner at Harris, Sheaffer LLP in North York. Freedman, who was 55, was one of Ontario’s...

Cottage deals need special expertise

by admin | May 9, 2009 | 2009 Toronto Star Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Bob Aaron bob@aaron.ca Last month I reviewed an offer to purchase a waterfront cottage near Kirkfield, Ont. The property was listed by a real estate agent in the Kawarthas and the offer was prepared by a Toronto agent. After I read the offer, I told the would-be...