Let’s assume that you have decided to sell your house, but you have never finished the basement. In the case of a two-storey house, one third of the potential living …
Money Grows on Trees
If I were to tell you that I have an investment for you that will provide you with a tax free return of over 1,000 per cent, you’d think that …
Five Financial Reasons for Owning a Home
By Brian Madigan LL.B. So, you think that you would like to buy some real estate! In particular, you would like to buy a house. Let’s summarize the principal financial …
Joint Tenancy: Estate Problems
By Brian Madigan LL.B. While there are some advantages to joint tenancy, there are also some problems. The primary advantage is the ease of administration of a deceased’s estate. It …
Joint Tenancy Creation and Termination Explained
Joint tenancy is a rather old common law method of property ownership. Essentially, it includes the right of survivorship as one of its provisions. The basic arrangement would be tenancy …
Legal Non-Conforming Use in Ontario
This is an issue under the zoning by-laws. It is important to note that all zoning by-laws are forward looking. They speak to the future and not the past. They …
Understanding Exclusive Use in Condominiums
(Ontario) Question: I am having difficulty understanding “exclusive use”: ” One or more owners may have exclusive use of selected common elements, such as parking spaces and balconies.” Answer: It’s …
Furnace Liens in Ontario
Question: Would a XYZ furnace rental contract appear on the parcel register? Answer: The furnace on the truck on the driveway is a chattel. Once it’s taken downstairs and installed, …
Retaining Wall Falling Down
(Ontario) Question: How do you deal with a property with a falling down retaining wall between properties? The Sellers agent knows nothing. The higher property (The neighbours) has a retaining …
Bank’s Refusal to Permit Additional Registered Owners
(Ontario) Question: Why does the Bank refuse a second person on Title? A is approved, but they won’t let B, the spouse on title because of credit concerns. Answer: You …