Home owner
Everything You Need to Know About Title Insurance in Ontario
Learn about the importance of Title Insurance in Ontario, the types of coverage available and the major providers in the industry. You can learn more about title insurance and make an informed decision:
What is Title Insurance
Title insurance was introduced in the 1990’s to the Canadian Real Estate market. It is a form of coverage that protects you against financial loss if there are problems with the title to your property, therefore, Title Insurance can help protect you from many types of losses, including:
The Impact of Ontario's "More Homes Built Faster Act" on Property Boundaries and Land Ownership: A PYB Perspective
The Ontario government’s "More Homes Built Faster Act" (Bill 23), introduced during the 43rd Parliament, has sparked extensive discussions about its potential to reshape housing development and urban planning across the province. The legislation is part of a broader strategy to address Ontario's housing crisis by building 1.5 million homes over the next decade. While the focus is on accelerating housing construction, the bill has significant implications for land ownership, property boundaries, and the legal frameworks that protect homeowners' rights.
Do you need a building permit for a storage shed ?
A storage shed is a great way to keep things organized. It is also a good place to store tools and equipment. Read our guide
According to Toronto’s Building Permit Guide, accessory structures, such as sheds, require a permit if the structure is greater than 10 meters squared or 100 square feet. (Find more information here www.toronto.ca/building-permit-required. If a building permit is not required, compliance with your municipality zoning bylaw is required.
In Toronto, the general requirement for a setback is ...
Surveys Plans and Permits for Gardening and Landscaping
Gardening is a pleasant hobby that anyone can enjoy. If you are looking to transform your landscape, you will first want to know a few of the basics before you start digging, planting & building.
Choose the Right Location.
For a simple and small garden, you will want to ensure proper placement of your garden in terms of your boundaries. You should always check your property’s survey plan before making any changes to your landscape. Regardless of the size of your garden, you should avoid ...
Boundary Trees in Ontario
We know you’re looking for all things related to boundary trees, good for you. Let me tell you that you are in the right place because you’ll find all the information needed here. So, let’s get started.
Trees are essential to our natural environment, however, they are more than living beings, as they can be part of fond memories and might marl a special place on our properties as well.
Boundary trees can be a big deal because unlike structures such as sheds, garages, additions, or patios ...
Survey Plans and House Buying
Should I check a survey plan before buying a house?
Deciding whether to consult a survey plan before bidding on or buying a house is considered one of the most effective ways to avoid buyer’s remorse.
What is a Survey Plan?
A survey plan, also known as a land survey, property survey, Surveyor’s Real Property Report, and building location survey, is a diagrammatic representation of a property and all it’s physical features. It shows the physical extent of the property – the boundary –
What is a Laneway House in Toronto?
A Laneway Suite is a new, self-contained residential unit located on the same lot as a detached house, semi-detached house or townhouse, and generally located in the rear yard next to a laneway. The laneway suite is typically smaller than and fully detached from the main building. It is also sometimes referred to as a granny suite or a garden suite, as it provides a separate living space on the property that can be used for extended family members, tenants, or guests.
Laneway Houses are a hot topic in the City of Toronto, as they offer homeowners the ability to create new sources of revenue and increase the overall value of their property. To qualify for a laneway suite,
Can you Earn Income by Building a Laneway Suite? Step 1: Confirm Your Boundaries
On Thursday June 28, 2018, the City of Toronto Council approved a motion to amend a city bylaw which would now allow the construction of laneway suites in residential neighbourhoods. The ever-increasing demand for affordable housing in the GTA played a huge role in the 30 -5 vote, with the hopes that this change will alleviate some of the pressure its residents are having with finding living space.
All about land survey plans
Our last few blog posts have focused on the top four situations where a land survey plan is important: buying a home, selling a home, planning an exterior renovation (building a fence, shed, etc.) and disputing a boundary. Now we’ll look at the land survey plan itself, and the important role it plays in our system of private land ownership, which is based on properties with well-defined boundaries.
The history & importance of land surveying
One of the oldest professions in the world, land surveying emerged along with the human desire to build large structures, from Stonehenge forward. Ancient surveyors plotted the sites of the pyramids in Egypt before the first massive building stones slid into place. The Romans established land surveying as a profession to measure and manage the conquered lands that formed their empire. Both William the Conqueror and Napoleon Bonaparte relied on precise maps to gain wealth and power.
Notable surveyors include Sir George Everest, (yes, that mountain), George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. In what would become Canada, the great explorers – including Samuel de Champlain, James Cook and George Vancouver – began the process of documenting the contours of the land on paper.