Regulating Real Estate Brokerages, Brokers and Salespersons in Ontario
The Government of Ontario announced a proposal on January 31, 2019, to review and modernize the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002 (the “Act”). The Act governs real estate brokerages, brokers and salespersons (collectively, “Registrants”), setting the rules for...
Use and Non-Use of Licensed Land Agents by Renewable Energy Companies
In Alberta, oil and gas companies have long required the services of accredited land agents in acquiring or leasing land to exploit the mineral resources there. The recent surge in interest in renewable energy sources, especially wind and solar, presents...
Reminder Notice to Real Estate Owners and Tenants in Quebec – 2018-2020 Property Assessment Appeals
Deadline : April 30, 2018 The value of your Quebec property is assessed every three years by the relevant assessing authority (“Authority”), depending on the assessment cycle your municipality is part of. This triennial assessment will determine the property taxes...
( Available in French only )
Droits sur les mutations immobilières : les récents développements
Journal Constructo – 22 février 2018 Quasi immuable depuis son adoption en 1976, la Loi concernant les droits sur les mutations immobilières a connu d’importants changements en 2017; en voici un résumé: La société prête-nom : Le mécanisme de la...
Environmental Liability of Commercial Landlords: Limited Landlord Liability for Acts/Omissions of its Tenants
A case review of Sorbam v Litwack 2017 ONSC 706 (CanLII), aff’d 2017 ONCA 850 Synopsis The case involves a somewhat typical contaminated land dispute between neighbouring commercial property owners. The plaintiff conducted investigations on its property in support of...
“Green” Changes Announced for Ontario Building Code
On July 14, 2017, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs announced the replacement of the Ontario Building Code, effective January 1, 2019. The changes are being made to include new requirements supporting the government’s Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) of June...
What Does the Elimination of the Ontario Municipal Board Mean? – Preliminary Expectations
The Ontario government has announced that it will introduce legislation to replace the Ontario Municipal Board (“OMB”) with a new Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (“LPAT”). The most important change is the elimination of the OMB’s power to substitute its decision...
New Real Property Register Requirement
On December 10, 2016 the Forfeited Corporate Property Act, 2015 (“FCPA”) came into force in Ontario. This act makes it easier for the Government of Ontario to use or sell property that has been forfeited to the Ontario Crown upon...
New Vancouver-Area Real Estate Taxes
Two taxes have been recently introduced in the Vancouver area, designed to cool the local estate market. The BC “Foreign Buyer Tax” Effective August 2, 2016, a transfer tax of 15% of fair market value is payable by “foreign nationals”...
Short-Term Condominium Rentals
Short-term rental condominiums operated through online companies like AirBnB and VRBO are becoming an increasingly popular choice for travellers and condominium unit owners alike. Travellers appreciate the sense of home, convenience, affordability and amenities that a privately owned condominium provides,...
