Buying a home in Toronto involves a closing cost that buyers outside the city do not face: the Toronto Municipal Land Transfer Tax. A Toronto purchaser will generally pay both Ontario Land Transfer Tax and Toronto Municipal Land Transfer Tax when the purchase closes. For many buyers, these two taxes are among the largest expenses after the down payment. They … Read More
The Mortgage Was Paid Off Years Ago—So Why Was It Still on Title? How an Old Mortgage Nearly Delayed a Toronto Home Sale
Selling a home can feel straightforward: sign the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, satisfy the closing conditions, hand over the keys and receive the sale proceeds. Unfortunately, problems with the property’s title can sometimes appear only after the deal has already been signed. Consider the following fictional case study involving “Maria,” a Toronto homeowner who believed that the mortgage on … Read More
Ontario’s New HST Rebate for New Homes: What Toronto and GTA Buyers Need to Know Before Closing
The Ontario housing market has seen significant changes in 2026, including the announcement of an enhanced HST rebate program for purchasers of newly built homes. While the proposed rebate has generated excitement among homebuyers, many purchasers are discovering that the practical application of the rebate is not always straightforward. If you are purchasing a newly constructed home, condominium, or pre-construction … Read More
What to Do After Selling Your Home in Toronto & the GTA
Selling your home is a major milestone — but once the deal is firm, many homeowners across Toronto and the surrounding areas are unsure about what comes next. Whether you sold a condo in downtown Toronto, a detached home in Mississauga, a townhouse in Milton, or a property anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), there are several important legal … Read More
Buying Pre-Construction: Why Reviewing Condo Drawings Can Save You Tens of Thousands of Dollars
Buying a pre-construction condo from a builder in Toronto is exciting. New finishes, modern layouts, and the promise of a brand-new home. But there’s one document many buyers underestimate—or never properly review at all: the drawings. Floor plans, elevations, site plans, and disclosure sketches are not just marketing materials. They are legally significant documents that define what you are actually … Read More
Why a Section 98 Agreement Matters When Buying a Condo Resale in Ontario
When buying a condo resale, most buyers focus on price, status certificates, and mortgage approval. But there’s a quieter document that can have serious legal and financial consequences if it’s missing: 👉 The Section 98 Agreement. If the unit you’re buying has any alterations beyond the original builder layout, a Section 98 Agreement can be the difference between a smooth … Read More
Per Stirpes vs. Per Capita in Ontario: What Toronto Families Need to Know When Writing a Will
When preparing a will in Ontario, one small clause can completely change how your estate is distributed. Two of the most commonly misunderstood terms are per stirpes and per capita — and choosing the wrong one can unintentionally disinherit children or grandchildren. If you are creating or updating a will in Toronto or the Greater Toronto Area, understanding the difference … Read More
Tenants in Common or Joint Tenants? Which Ownership Structure is Right for You?
In Ontario, the terms “tenant in common” and “joint tenants” refer to different types of ownership arrangements for real property. The key differences between these two types of ownership are related to how the property is shared, what happens when one owner dies, and how ownership interests are transferred. Whether you are purchasing a property in Toronto to live in … Read More
What Toronto Contractors Need to Know About Placing a Lien When You Haven’t Been Paid
As a contractor in Toronto, few situations are more frustrating than completing work on a project—whether it’s residential, commercial, or industrial—only to find that payment is delayed or withheld. Fortunately, Ontario’s Construction Act gives contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers a powerful legal tool: the right to place a construction lien on the property where the work was performed. A lien protects … Read More
Can You Really Own City Parkland? What Kosicki v. Toronto Means for Homeowners
A Backyard Surprise Imagine this: you buy a house in Toronto, enjoy your backyard for years, and then find out part of the land behind your fence actually belongs to the City. Sounds unbelievable, right? That’s exactly what happened to a Toronto couple, Pawel Kosicki and Megan Munro. Their case, Kosicki v. Toronto (City), recently made it all the way … Read More