Real Estate
NEW Registration Process for Paper Documents (Land Registry)
Further to the earlier notice the Director of Titles has provided instructions on how the registration process will function after the closing of the registry office counters as of October 13, 2020. This process will be in effect until Teranet builds online enhancements to OnLand and Teraview to allow paper documents to be submitted online…. Read More »
Categories: Real EstateNew rules for virtual signing and the winding down of remote signings of wills and powers of attorney
As Ontario continues to respond to COVID-19, the temporary provisions permitting the virtual witnessing of wills and powers of attorney are being wound down. However, the government has introduced new legislation and related regulations to permit the virtual commissioning of oaths or declarations. Remote Virtual Signing of Wills and Powers of Attorney The Reopening Ontario… Read More »
Categories: Announcements, Real Estate, Law Practice ManagementExcess coverage protects growing real estate practices
Is your real estate practice growing? That’s a good thing. But keep in mind that your risk exposure may be growing along with it. A hot market can mean a higher transaction volume, unconditional offers, and shorter closing times. All of these factors place pressure on lawyers, and can increase the chance of an error… Read More »
Categories: Real EstatePlanning Act Emergency Period Suspension Calculator
[NEW revised calculator, please only use the September 24, 2020 version] COVID-19 interrupted the timelines for numerous matters, including many proceedings under the Planning Act. Originally time periods under the Planning Act were suspended based on the general Emergency Period; they were subsequently addressed separately. All time suspensions regarding the Planning Act ceased on June… Read More »
Categories: Real EstateClosing of Registry Office locations as of this Thanksgiving
The Director of Titles has advised that all service counters of all 54 registry offices (Land Titles and Registry) will be closing. There will be a trial period commencing this Thanksgiving with full implementation as of 2021. All registrations will be done via software, email or courier, with full details to be provided later. Most… Read More »
Categories: Real EstateLenders accepting wire payments to discharge mortgages.
The practice of delivering certified cheques or bank drafts to lenders to pay off mortgages has been made more difficult with the restrictions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. The real estate bar has been asking financial institutions to permit them to pay off client’s mortgages using wire payments in residential purchase and sale transactions. It… Read More »
Categories: Real Estate, TechnologyIs any title insurance policy a good policy?
Lawyers have a duty to ensure that their purchaser clients receive good and marketable title to the properties they have contracted to buy. In particular, there is an expectation that any prior mortgages will be discharged and removed from title. Imagine the scenario where your search of title discloses an old mortgage that has never… Read More »
Categories: Real Estate, The TitlePLUS Program & Title InsuranceNavigating the Planning Act amid COVID-19 Emergency Orders
The Planning Act is a particularly complex piece of legislation, and navigating it has become more difficult given the introduction of COVID-19 related emergency orders, which have impacted Planning Act matters. For lawyers with clients undertaking activities, which fall under the umbrella of the Planning Act, it is essential to check the legislation and government… Read More »
Categories: Real Estate