Real Estate Lawyers Collingwood, Ontario

Contracts you sign during an impromptu visit from a door-to-door salesperson are null and void under Ontario consumer protection laws. It works like this:

• You can buy or lease a furnace from a door-to-door salesperson if you initiate the deal. When you phone or email a supplier to invite them to your home to discuss buying a furnace, any contract you sign is legally binding. 
• Buying from a salesperson who appears uninvited at your door is not legal. You can keep the product or service without paying for it. If a collection agency or mover charges you to remove the product, the company that “sold” it to you must reimburse you. 
• Companies that already have written contracts with you can schedule home visits for repairs, maintenance, or to write new contracts for products or services. Their representative must tell you ahead of time that they plan to offer a restricted product or service, and you must agree to hear their offer. 
• You can cancel a contract within 10 days of receiving a written copy. You have up to a year to cancel if you don’t get a written copy, required information is missing, or you were told something false or misleading.

Air conditioners, water heaters, and other home products are on the restricted list for door-to-door sales. Click here for the full list.

It may be. Any transfer of an interest or right in land can be subject to tax, including some leaseholds. 

We say some because leases for 50 years or less are exempt. That is, provided any extensions or renewals don’t increase the term beyond 50 years. For example, a lease with 25 years remaining can be renewed or extended for another 25 years. Anything beyond that makes the leasehold ineligible for a land transfer tax exemption. 

That also means leases with terms greater than 50 years are taxable. For instance, land transfer tax is owed when you register, transfer or otherwise give someone a 99-year lease for a condo, home, or lot. The amount owed is determined by the fair market value of the land you are leasing, for strictly the portion the agreement applies to, even if you paid less for it.

Steer away from any mortgage broker who asks to be paid directly. Fees charged by mortgage brokers or lenders for their services are paid by your lawyer. They are held in trust by your lawyer, and paid by your lawyer as part of the statement of adjustments for the purchase of a home or land.

As long as they are not fraudulent or misleading, agreements you sign with Ontario mortgage brokers are legally valid contracts. Requesting you to sign a contract requiring fees be paid in advance, or directly to a broker or lender, is a definite red flag. Take your contract to our Axess Law real estate lawyer in Collingwood before you sign, or if you have already signed, do not pay the broker until you have legal advice.

Heat pump is a bit of a mislabel. Depending on the model, they can not only heat, but cool your home. Used appropriately, they can save money, although heat pumps operate best in moderate climates. Plan for supplemental electric heat, or a gas furnace, if temperatures dip below -20° C.

First, how they work. Heat pumps move cool air from outdoors into your home in spring, fall or winter, and heat it. On hot summer nights, they cool and air condition your home by transferring heat and humidity outside, the same way your fridge does. Since heat pumps don’t generate heat, but just move it around, they use about half the energy than an electric furnace or air conditioner. Advanced models can even heat water for your bath.

Ducted models can be included in new build construction or, at substantial cost, added to an existing home. Ductless models operate more like a portable air conditioner, and are better suited to condos, resale homes, and spaces where renovations are not feasible. 

Look for Energy Star Ratings to reduce heating and cooling costs. Picking an oversized or undersized unit will add to energy bills. Ask a heating and cooling contractor what size to use  based on your home’s size, windows, foundation, and construction.