Professional

John George Howard was born in Hertfordshire, England, in 1803. There, he attended boarding school and pursued a career in carpentry before completing a 3-year architecture apprenticeship. With prospects in London being limited, John and his wife, Jemima Frances Meikle, decided to seek new opportunities and move to Canada in 1832.

His move paid off quickly as shortly after arriving in Toronto, John Howard quickly became one of the first professional architects in Upper Canada. His portfolio of architectural renderings caught the eye of Lieutenant Governor John Colborne, who appointed him as a geometrical drawing master at Upper Canada College. In this position, Howard significantly contributed to Toronto's public and private infrastructure during his 23-year tenure.

If you missed our previous blog post on the fundamental roles of the Land Registry Office (LRO), we encourage you to review it.

The Difference Between the Registry System and the Land Titles System

Ontario has two distinct systems for registering property documents: the Registry System and the Land Titles System. These systems are governed by two different pieces of legislation: the Registry Act and the Land Titles Act. Your property records will be stored under one of these systems, and understanding the distinction is crucial for every property owner.

For nearly two centuries, the land north of Union Station has been synonymous with luxurious hospitality. In the mid-1850s, four townhouses were combined to create a hotel, which originally opened its doors as the Swords Hotel. In 1860, it was renamed The Revere, and in 1862, it underwent yet another name change, becoming The Queens Hotel.

As a homeowner, it is important that you understand the Land Registry Office (LRO) and how it works to safeguard your property and the rights to your land.

What is the Land Registry Office (LRO)?

The Land Registry Office is the official record keeper of all private property ownership in the province of Ontario. With 55 offices across Ontario, they are managed by the provincial government and play a critical role in protecting property ownership. When you purchase property, registering it with the LRO is not just a formality—it's a necessity.

What is a setback?

Setbacks determine how close to a property line a structure can be built. This applies to houses, sheds, workshops, and any other structures built on your property. The setback on your land survey will show the measurement from the structures on your property to the nearest corners.

The great fire of Toronto on April 19, 1904, reportedly began at the E. & S. Currie neckwear factory located at 58-60 Wellington St. W. (currently the location of the TD Bank Tower at 66 Wellington W), and rapidly escalated into a city-wide disaster. The fire was first noticed at 8:04 p.m. when flames were seen at the factory. Despite the efforts of the fire chief and crews, the fire quickly spiraled out of control due to a combination of high winds and inadequate water pressure.

A lien is a powerful legal instrument that grants creditors a claim or right over a property if a debt remains unpaid. Homeowners need to be aware of the different types of liens and their implications. In this blog post, we'll go over the various types of liens, their impact on property ownership, and common questions surrounding them.

In the City of Toronto, every street and lane tell a story of their own and historic surveys stand as a silent witness to the city’s evolution. Surveys offer a unique look into the past, revealing a snapshot of the landscape at a specific point in time. In this article, we will look at laneways and historic surveys to highlight Toronto’s rich history and resilience in infrastructure.

Selling a property is an important decision accompanied by stress and uncertainty. It's crucial to have the right information and support to navigate the process smoothly. Before you list your property, it is important that you equip yourself with the right tools and information to minimize the hassle of selling a home. This is where the BoundaryWise Sellers Report from Protect Your Boundaries comes into play.

Realtors: Empower Your Sales

Survey plans are vital in the preservation process for landmarks such as Fort York, providing essential land details for accurate boundary representation and conservation efforts.

Fort York, a historical sight nestled in the bustling City of Toronto, stands as a testament to our nation's resilient past. Best known for the 1813 Battle of York during the War of 1812 when 2,700 American soldiers captured and occupied the Fort for six days.

The Fort served as the harbour's primary defense from the 1790s through the 1880s and today, with the help of survey plans, this historical site is a living homage to our past, symbolizing the identity of our nation.