Do you own your backyard? Are you sure?

by admin | Nov 25, 2023 | 2023 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Pawel Kosicki and Megan Munro found they didn’t, and a judge ruled an individual can’t acquire ownership by encroaching on public land, says Bob Aaron. When Pawel Kosicki and Megan Munro discovered they did not own their back yard, I imagine it spoiled their whole...

Was it worth it? Neighbours spend big bucks in dispute over tiny piece of land

by admin | Nov 11, 2023 | 2023 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Does it make sense for neighbours to spend tens of thousands of dollars on legal fees over what a judge described as an insignificant piece of disputed land along the shared boundary? 81 Pears Avenue and 83 Pears Ave.: Scene of an expensive dispute between...

Is joint ownership good or bad for estate planning?

by admin | Oct 14, 2023 | 2023 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Case shows using joint ownership as an estate planning tool to avoid the payment of probate when one owner dies is risky, writes Bob Aaron. Should the question of ownership end up in court, legal fees can outstrip the savings on probate. A decision of the Superior...

Beware of people trying to sell heating and air-conditioning equipment

by admin | Sep 30, 2023 | 2023 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Door-to-door sales of heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment prohibited in Ontario. Judge finds supplier made fraudulent misrepresentations. The experience of Ottawa homeowner Kim Thompson with a company promising energy savings on her heating equipment...

Ontario loses respected Director of Titles

by admin | Sep 16, 2023 | 2023 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Jeffrey Lem, 61, director of titles, responsible for administering registration of province’s 7.5 million parcels of land, dead at 61. Jeffrey Lem: His job involved making the land registry system work fairly, seamlessly and efficiently. Ontario’s real estate...

Young couple, about to move into their new home, get a big surprise

by admin | Sep 2, 2023 | 2023 Toronto Star Property Law Columns, Toronto Star Property Law Columns

Builder tacked on $30,533 in cost increases. Case shows importance of reviewing clauses in proposed purchase agreements, writes Bob Aaron. An itemized list provided to the buyers detailed higher charges for subfloors, masonry, rooftop deck, parapet and lumber. Sayers...