Real Estate Law
Agreement of Purchase and Sale: Put it in writing.
You have decided to purchase or sell your home. The next step is to enter into an agreement of purchase and sale. It is important that the agreement be set out in writing, as per the Statue of Frauds. The...
Applying for Land Severance
In order to divide land that you own into smaller lots, official approval is required from the local municipality. Landowners must ensure that the land severance has no long-term negative impact on the community, otherwise, municipal services such as garbage...
Personal Real Estate Corporations
Thanks to new legislation by the government of Ontario and the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2020 (REBBA), a brokerage can now pay remuneration (i.e. commissions) owed to a salesperson (real estate agent) or broker for trading in real...
The Sellers Say They Won’t Close: Will the Courts Make Them?
Rising real estate prices create incentives for sellers to try to get the most out of their agreements. The hot markets in most of Ontario since the initial pandemic restrictions were loosened are no exception, and we have seen an...
Updated Repair and Warranty Deadlines for New Home Builders and Buyers
On July 6, 2020, Tarion announced the reinstatement of certain statutory timelines that had previously been suspended pursuant to Ontario’s Emergency Order. Builders and buyers should take note that the following rules will apply to builder repairs, warranty submission timelines,...
The Federal Home Equity Capital Gains Tax
As federal and provincial government deficits skyrocket due to COVID-19 support payouts such as the CERB, governments at all levels will be searching for new revenue sources in the not-so-distant future to try and balance budgets. One way to accomplish...
Ottawa Landlords and the Mandatory Mask By-Law
If you are a landlord in Ottawa, you may be wondering how the newly announced mandatory mask by-law impacts you, your tenants and your property. Keep reading below for a quick overview on what this means for you and your...
Selling Your Home by Private Sale in Ontario
Occasionally a purchaser and seller will enter into an agreement of purchase and sale directly with one another. They may exclude all agents in an effort to avoid paying a commission. However, there are risks associated with this type of...
Development Applications and COVID-19: Delays, Deadlines and Expiry Dates
In Ontario, a state of emergency was declared due to the COVID-19 Pandemic on March 17, 2020. On March 20, 2020, the province issued a Regulation (retroactive to March 16, 2020) under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, that...
Ontario First Time Home Buyer Series Part 4: Ontario Land Transfer Tax Refund
Buying your first home is a big step in your personal and financial life. As a first-time home buyer, you likely have many questions regarding all aspects of the process. In this four-part series, we will be exploring some of...
