Your Survey Questions Answered: A Homeowner & Realtor Q&A

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.

Q: Can I obtain a copy of my survey plan from my local municipality?

A: No. Due to copyright laws, municipalities do not have the legal right to distribute copies of survey plans. While your city or town may have a copy on file, they cannot legally share it with you. At Protect Your Boundaries, all survey plans are lawfully sold and with proper authorization, ensuring you receive a legitimate and accurate copy.

Q: Can a surveyor come onto my property without my permission?

A: Yes. In Ontario, licensed land surveyors and their employees have the legal right to enter private property without the owner's permission while conducting a survey. This authority is granted under Section 6 of the Surveys Act.

Q: Will a surveyor consider my opinion on the boundary?

A: No. Surveyors are like detectives of the land, and while your input may be a clue, their final opinion is based on evidence and legal precedent. Evidence like historic surveys, deeds, and legal descriptions are helpful when it comes to determining a property boundary, but a surveyor cannot base the boundary solely on your opinion.

Q: Do I need to be home for a survey to be completed?

A: No. All the surveyors' work is performed outside the home. A surveyor will only need you if they require assistance with entry, such as a locked gate.

Q: What if I don’t agree with the surveyors' findings?

A: You should contact the surveyor and request clarification of their findings. If you are still in disagreement with the results, you can contact another surveyor for a second opinion.

Q: Can my neighbour and I agree to move the boundary?

A: Yes, but this could be a costly process, and you need to have all the proper legal documentation. All boundary adjustments must be approved, documented, and comply with the legal land description.

Q: Does a fence determine the boundary line?

A: In a perfect world, all fences would be perfectly built on the legal boundary line; however, Protect Your Boundaries did a study that showed that 49% of fences were not built on the property line. Fences can be deceiving; homeowners should always refer to their legal survey to determine their property boundaries.

Q: What kind of survey should I use in a real estate transaction?

A: A Surveyor's Real Property Report (SRPR) is typically used for residential property transactions. This type of survey shows buildings and other structures relative to the property line.

Q: How long are survey plans valid?

A: Land surveys do not expire; however, if there have been changes to the property (e.g., new structures, land acquisitions, etc.) you may be required to have an updated survey completed.

Q: How do I find a licenced surveyor?

A: Visit the AOLS website and use their Find a Surveyor tool. You can also contact Protect Your Boundaries to see if we have an existing survey available for your property.

Still have questions?

We hope this Q&A has helped clarify some of the most common concerns. If you have any further questions, you can contact our knowledgeable customer service team at info@protectyourboundaries.ca.

If you're looking for a survey plan or need expert advice, Protect Your Boundaries is here to help. Visit our website to explore available surveys, learn more about your property,