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In Ottawa’s more balanced real estate market, transactions are increasingly being negotiated with conditions, including financing clauses. While this provides buyers with an opportunity to conduct proper due diligence, it also introduces a common point of failure: financing that does not materialize. When a buyer is unable to secure a mortgage, the legal consequences depend […]

Ottawa’s real estate market continues to show a notable divide between detached homes and condominium properties. While detached homes tend to remain in relatively strong demand, the condominium market has softened in comparison, offering buyers more choice and occasionally more negotiating power. At first glance, this may appear to create an opportunity—particularly for first-time buyers […]

Ottawa’s real estate market continues to show a notable divide between detached homes and condominium properties. While detached homes tend to remain in relatively strong demand, the condominium market has softened in comparison, offering buyers more choice and occasionally more negotiating power. At first glance, this may appear to create an opportunity—particularly for first-time buyers […]

A real estate transaction in Ontario does not automatically fall apart if a buyer dies before closing. An Agreement of Purchase and Sale (“APS”) is a binding contract, and in most cases the buyer’s estate steps into the buyer’s position. This means the agreement generally remains valid and enforceable. The person responsible for administering the […]

When land is developed into a residential subdivision in Ontario, municipalities and builders often impose standard land use restrictions that are registered on title through a subdivision or development agreement. These restrictions are legally binding and “run with the land,” meaning they apply not just to the original purchaser, but to all future owners. They […]

When a person passes away owning real estate in Ontario, the individual responsible for administering the estate is now formally referred to as the Estate Trustee. However, many people still use older or more familiar terms such as “executor” (if named in a will) or “administrator” (if there is no will), and the court process […]

In recent years, several Canadian municipalities—including City of Ottawa, City of Toronto, City of Hamilton and City of Windsor —have introduced a Vacant Unit Tax (VUT) as part of their property tax systems. This tax is applied to residential properties that remain vacant for a defined portion of the year. The goal is to encourage […]

When most people talk about a mortgage, they are referring to the loan used to purchase a home. In legal terms, however, a mortgage is not the loan itself but rather the security registered against real property that guarantees repayment of that loan. The lender advances funds to the borrower, and the borrower agrees that […]

Property boundary disputes are a common issue between neighbouring landowners and often arise from unclear property lines, historical assumptions, or changes to the landscape over time. In Ontario, a boundary dispute typically occurs when two parties disagree about where one parcel ends and another begins — for example, the placement of a fence, driveway encroachment, […]

When purchasing property in Ontario, most buyers focus on the house itself—but there is an argument for lies on title being more important. Two common interests that affect land ownership are easements and rights-of-way. These are legal rights that allow someone other than the property owner to use a portion of the land for a […]