Home owner

When is the last time you took a good look at your fence? Maintaining your fence isn't just about curb appeal—it's essential to clearly defining and protecting your property's boundaries. At Protect Your Boundaries, we know the value of keeping your fences in top shape: it helps prevent disputes, safeguards your property, and maintains good neighbourly relationships. This DIY guide will equip you with the essential fence maintenance skills you need to ensure your fence stays strong, upright, and attractive year-round.

When you walk through the St. Lawrence Market today, it’s easy to get swept up in the scents of fresh produce, the sound of merchants calling out specials, and the feeling that you are a part of something that has been happening here for centuries- because you are. The market has been a vital part of Toronto’s story since 1803, and through every phase it has been mapped, measured, and immortalized in the pages of land surveys.

At Protect Your Boundaries, we receive many questions from homeowners and Real Estate professionals about survey plans, property boundaries, and land rights. We have compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions and placed them in one convenient location so you can feel confident and informed when it comes to your property.

Every year, millions of visitors head to downtown Toronto to experience some of its most iconic landmarks, the CN Tower and Rogers Centre. Whether to cheer on their favourite team, ride the tower's glass elevator 1,136 feet into the sky, or simply observe the architecture from the ground, there is no denying the energy of this lively neighbourhood.

A recent Toronto Star article shed light on a case of mortgage fraud, where a daughter used her parents' home as collateral for a loan without their knowledge. This incident brings a broader issue to light—homeowners often assume they have full control over their property, only to discover hidden risks after it’s too late. While title insurance is frequently cited as a protective measure, this case reveals deeper vulnerabilities that go beyond fraud protection. It speaks to the importance of understanding your property boundaries, legal encumbrances, and potential risks long before a crisis occurs.

Before Nathan Phillips Square and Toronto City Hall, this part of downtown Toronto was home to one of the city’s first immigrant neighbourhoods—The Ward. Officially known as St. John’s Ward, it was a densely populated area where newcomers from America, Europe, China, and beyond—settled in search of opportunity.

Many of our customers ask about older surveys and their validity. It’s important to understand that land survey plans do not "expire"; rather, they become dated as the land changes and evolves. If a property remains unchanged for 50 years, a survey from that time would still accurately represent it. However, if the property has undergone renovations, landscaping, or other modifications, a new survey would be needed to reflect those updates.

Expanding your driveway is an effective way to increase parking space and improve the utility of your property. However, any modifications to your driveway or curb come with specific regulations and requirements, which vary from city to city. At Protect Your Boundaries, we encourage you to always have a land survey plan before you start any alteration to your property and be informed and proactive in following local guidelines to avoid future complications. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to driveway widening that protects your property and boundaries.

In need of some retail therapy? The Eaton Centre is one of Canada's largest and one of Toronto’s most iconic landmarks—sprawling across several city blocks, it embodies the city’s diverse culture and active urban landscape. Before the bright lights and the expansive corridors, this land was part of a quieter Toronto, marked by small parcels of land. Historical surveys provide a unique insight into the transformation of this space and highlight the importance of preserving these records.

Owning a property with easements on it can be complicated, especially if those easements affect your desired use of the property or are in the way of something you want to build. Easements are legal rights granted to others—such as utility companies, to access a portion of your property for specific purposes like installing or maintaining utilities. Because easements impact a homeowner’s ability to use parts of their property freely, it is important to uncover and research any easements and understand their implications; ideally, this is done before you purchase the property.