There will be a public information centre on the Hwy. 427 expansion project Jan. 25 in Vaughan.
The expansion will see Hwy. 427 extended 6.6 kilometres from its present end point at Zenway Boulevard north to Langstaff Avenue and Rutherford Road, ending at Major Mackenzie Drive. It’s expected to open up vast employment lands for future investment and development in the Vaughan Enterprise Zone and help commuters get to work in Vaughan’s west side. The public information centre will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. and will be in an open-house format. Members of the public are invited to drop in, learn about the project, talk to the project team and offer comments about the proposed works. The public information centre takes place at the Element Hotel, Vaughan Southwest, 6170 Hwy. 7 W. If you’re one of the thousands of Torontonians who aims to find a home that is more suited to your needs in the coming months, you have probably set the wheels in motion: cleaning, packing, and planning all of the administrative details that go into a successful move. To lighten the load with respect to one of those details, Toronto Hydro recently announced the launch of My TorontoHydro, a new online tool to help you manage your accounts. It offers secure access to bills, payment history, and account details, anytime, from anywhere. Through My TorontoHydro you can move your account to your new address, arrange for automatic payments, and review your energy consumption history, a particularly useful feature for landlords as well, offering access to information on individual rental units. This new tool also represents an opportunity for greater efficiency for our city’s energy provider, which in 2011 received more than 200,000 move requests primarily by phone, fax and mail. My TorontoHydro is one of several useful services you can learn about in a new Homeowners Kit, which is the result of a collaborative effort between Toronto Hydro and the Toronto Real Estate Board. The new Homeowners Kit supplies a wealth of information that can translate into money in your wallet. From annual coupons, to heating and cooling incentives, to details on the fridge and freezer pick-up program, this kit is packed with bonuses that will save you money and help you do your part for the environment. As an association that serves the needs of REALTORS® throughout the GTA, the Toronto Real Estate Board works to continuously identify opportunities that help Greater Toronto REALTORS® offer you, the consumer, the very best service. Our cooperative effort with Toronto Hydro represents one of TREB’s many innovative approaches to fostering a valuable relationship between you and your REALTOR®. Whether you’re planning a move this spring or if you’re just interested in running your household more efficiently, take a look at the Homeowners Kit. It’s a convenient, cost-saving resource that can help us all be a little more environmentally conscious as well. To take advantage of all that it has to offer visit or www.torontohydro.com. Winter in Toronto can bring the early morning sounds of neighbours' shovels on driveways and sidewalks, and snowplows on roads.Failure to clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to private property in the city can result in a fine of $125 under the Municipal Code.
But recently, I've received several questions asking who bears the responsibility, when an injury occurs as the result of an uncleared sidewalk. The toronto.ca website says that the city provides mechanical sidewalk snow-clearing in most parts of Toronto. In the downtown core, however, the city is unable to provide this service. In areas where sidewalks cannot be plowed, residents and business owners are responsible for clearing the ice and snow from sidewalks adjacent to their properties within 12 hours of a snowfall. When a snowfall lasts for many hours, I'm not sure if this means within 12 hours after the end of a snowfall, or within 12 hours of an accumulation of snow deep enough to cause injury to a pedestrian. But what happens if a sidewalk is not cleared and someone is injured as a result? Back in January, 1997, Concetta Bongiardina fell on the sidewalk in front of a home on Chancellor Dr., in Vaughan. The house was owned by Carlo and Carmela Mangiapane. Bongiardina was injured in the fall and sued the City of Vaughan, claiming that the snow and ice on the sidewalk was a nuisance and hazard. Vaughan denied liability and added the Mangiapanes to the court case. The city claimed the couple was responsible because they were in breach of the bylaw, which required them to clear their sidewalk. The Mangiapanes applied to the court for an order dismissing the claim against them. They argued that a simple breach of the bylaw did not impose responsibility on them for any resulting damages. The lower court tossed out the city's claim against them, and Vaughan appealed. Writing for a three-judge panel at the Court of Appeal, Justice James MacPherson agreed with the trial decision and dismissed the claim against the Mangiapanes. The court ruled that there is no statutory or common-law duty on property owners to clear snow and ice from public sidewalks adjacent to their property. There are only two exceptions. The first is if the owner is actually occupying the sidewalk, like a grocery store or coffee shop. The second is if something such as water flows off the owner's property, making the sidewalk dangerous. The Court of Appeal said that Ontario municipalities cannot pawn off their maintenance responsibilities to owners or occupiers of land next to city sidewalks. Justice MacPherson wrote: "Canadian taxpayers expect that their municipal governments will move quickly and efficiently to keep the streets and the sidewalks clear and safe." Owners and occupiers of land next to a sidewalk may be risking a fine under a city bylaw for failing to keep it clear of snow and ice, but they are not responsible for damage for any resulting injuries. The construction boom in Vaughan continues.
In 2017, the city issued 5,328 building permits worth $1.969 billion in construction value, the municipality's highest amount ever, according to a news release. That's up nearly 10 per cent from 4,855 permits worth $1.149 billion in 2016. The bulk of the construction value, $919,626,094, came from building permits for homes, according to the city. Institutional building permits, meanwhile, accounted for $609,850,974. Building permits for industrial and commercial developments tallied $252,215,161 and $126,522,334 respectively. Building construction has helped fuel Vaughan's economic growth for the last decade, which averaged 3.5 per cent during that time, according to the city. Ontario landlords want the right to immediately ban the use of pot in rental properties when recreational weed is legalized this summer, arguing they should be allowed to change tenants’ existing leases to stop the drug from being consumed in their units.
Some marijuana users say, however, that the situation would leave renters with few places to legally use weed, given the province’s already restrictive rules around the drug. Under rules announced in the fall, the province plans a ban on recreational pot consumption in public spaces and workplaces, allowing it only in private residences. Medical marijuana use will be permitted anywhere that cigarette smoking is allowed, the legislation says. Landlords will be able to spell out a ban on smoking marijuana in rental units for new leases post-legalization — the same as they do for tobacco use — but the province’s tenancy laws make it illegal to change a lease before it ends. That means in some cases, until an existing lease runs out, landlords would be unable to regulate marijuana use in their properties, said John Dickie, president of the Canadian Federation of Apartment Associations, adding that landlords are concerned about the impact a spike in pot smoking will have on other tenants in rental properties. “(The province is) not going to allow marijuana to be smoked in public areas, so where the heck are people going to smoke marijuana? Well they’re going to do it in their apartments,” he said. “The problem is, just like when they smoke tobacco, the smell goes to neighbouring apartments. Buildings are not hermetically sealed.” It can cost $5,000-6,000 to get the smell of marijuana smoke out of apartment walls and floors, said Dan Henderson, president of the DelSuites property management firm in Toronto. “It’s not the stigma (of marijuana use), it’s just the number of expenses to maintain the unit and the complaints landlords receive from the neighbours,” said Henderson, whose company manages rental units for approximately 2,000 landlords in the Greater Toronto Area. Dickie and Henderson both argue that Ontario landlords should be allowed to immediately prohibit tenants from smoking marijuana in their units, even if the tenants are mid-lease. “As it stands (before) legalization, tenants are banned from smoking marijuana in a building and you don’t have to write it in the lease because it’s the law,” Dickie said. “It would be ideal if the province automatically (made it part) of leases, unless the landlord and tenant agree to take it out of the lease, because that would continue the status quo.” The Ontario government says its Residential Tenancy Act does not include explicit rules about smoking substances of any kind in a rental property, and the new pot laws do not contain any rules for renters engaging in recreational use. Landlords have the right to include stipulations banning tobacco smoke when drafting a lease, but if they do not, a tenant can smoke in their own unit. Those rules will likely apply to marijuana when it is legalized, the government says. The province is also currently seeking public feedback on a proposal to allow designated outdoor smoking or vaping areas in multi-unit residences, an idea welcomed by some marijuana users who argue some tenants may otherwise have few places they can consume pot. “It (would be) really leaving people with nowhere to go,” Natasha Grimshaw, a manager at a Toronto marijuana dispensary, said of landlords banning pot in units. “You have more freedom (to smoke) now when it’s illegal than you will when you’re supposed to be free to smoke it.” Having a dedicated marijuana space for a rental property could provide a suitable compromise, Grimshaw said. “Condos have theatre rooms, party rooms, so why not have marijuana rooms?” she said. “They could even make restrictions that you need to use vaporizers (instead) of smoking a joint so it’s not a smoke and you’re not going to necessarily be upsetting too many people in the building.” Designated marijuana lounges would be “a great idea” if landlords could then also ban smoking in rental units, Dickie added. “People haven’t rushed to do that with tobacco in part because it’s not inexpensive to set up a separate ventilation system, but in a bigger building it would make sense,” he added. “We’ll just all have to weigh out the demand for it with the cost of doing it.” OSFI is reinforcing a strong and prudent regulatory regime for residential mortgage underwriting1/22/2018
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada (OSFI) published the final version of Guideline B-20 − Residential Mortgage Underwriting Practices and Procedures. The revised Guideline, came into effect on January 1, 2018, applies to all federally regulated financial institutions.
The changes to Guideline B-20 reinforce OSFI’s expectation that federally regulated mortgage lenders remain vigilant in their mortgage underwriting practices. The final Guideline focuses on the minimum qualifying rate for uninsured mortgages, expectations around loan-to-value (LTV) frameworks and limits, and restrictions to transactions designed to circumvent those LTV limits. OSFI is setting a new minimum qualifying rate, or “stress test,” for uninsured mortgages.
Quick Facts
The influx of homebuyers from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) moving to Hamilton is intensifying as many are trying to offset the added costs of OSFI’s new mortgage rules and rising interest rates from the central bank. Housing analysts and local realtors are starting to see a spillover effect from the new stress test, which has been applied to mortgage seekers since January 1.
The stress test requires prospective homebuyers to demonstrate that they can afford higher payments if interest rates rise substantially. This means some buyers have had to settle for smaller mortgages, which in turn has locked them out of pricier markets in the GTA. On Wednesday, the Bank of Canada (BoC) raised its benchmark lending rate by a quarter percentage point to 1.25%—the highest it has been since 2009. Analysts believe rates will rise further over the coming months, making it harder for buyers to enter some of Canada’s pricier markets. “Anything that's done to make a property less affordable will push some people into other markets,” said George O'Neill, CEO of the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB). Toronto is now Canada's most expensive rental city following a 15.4% jump in the past year.
Figures from Padmapper show that the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Toronto this month is $2,020, up 2.5% from last month; in Vancouver it’s $2,000, up 0.5% month-over-month and 5.3% year-over-year. For two-bedroom apartments, rents are still more expensive in Vancouver ($3,200 vs. $2,520) but the rise in Toronto was 14.5% year-over-year compared to the modest 0.6% in Vancouver. Elsewhere, there have been double digit annual rent rises for one bedroom apartments in several markets including Montreal ($1,310); Barrie ($1,260); Kelowna ($1,130); and Hamilton ($1,050). Halifax, Regina, and Quebec have all seen average one-bedroom apartment rents decrease year-over-year. Find Your Answers to Home Inspection Cost and Home Inspection Service Questions
Frequently Asked Questions on Home InspectionsPlease select one of the following topics: What is a home inspection? What does a home inspection include? Why do I need a home inspection? How much will it cost? Why can't I do it myself? Can a house fail inspection? How do I find a home inspector? What is ASHI? Who belongs to ASHI? When do I call a home inspector? Do I have to be there? What if the report reveals problems? If the house proves to be in good condition, did I really need an inspection? What is a home inspection? A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a house, from the roof to the foundation. What does a home inspection include? The standard home inspector’s report will cover the condition of the home’s heating system; central air conditioning system (temperature permitting); interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the foundation, basement and structural components. The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) publishes a Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics that outlines what you should expect to be covered in your home inspection report. Why do I need a home inspection? Buying a home could be the largest single investment you will ever make. To minimize unpleasant surprises and unexpected difficulties, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about the newly constructed or existing house before you buy it. A home inspection may identify the need for major repairs or builder oversights, as well as the need for maintenance to keep it in good shape. After the inspection, you will know more about the house, which will allow you to make decisions with confidence. If you already are a homeowner, a home inspection can identify problems in the making and suggest preventive measures that might help you avoid costly future repairs. If you are planning to sell your home, a home inspection can give you the opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition. What will it cost? The inspection fee for a typical one-family house varies geographically, as does the cost of housing. Similarly, within a given area, the inspection fee may vary depending on a number of factors such as the size of the house, its age and possible optional services such as septic, well or radon testing. Do not let cost be a factor in deciding whether or not to have a home inspection or in the selection of your home inspector. The sense of security and knowledge gained from an inspection is well worth the cost, and the lowest-priced inspection is not necessarily a bargain. Use the inspector’s qualifications, including experience, training, compliance with your state’s regulations, if any, and professional affiliations as a guide. Why can't I do it myself? Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector. An inspector is familiar with the elements of home construction, proper installation, maintenance and home safety. He or she knows how the home’s systems and components are intended to function together, as well as why they fail. Above all, most buyers find it difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the house they really want, and this may have an effect on their judgment. For accurate information, it is best to obtain an impartial, third-party opinion by a professional in the field of home inspection. Can a house fail a home inspection? No. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of a house. It is not an appraisal, which determines market value. It is not a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but rather describe its physical condition and indicate what components and systems may need major repair or replacement. How do I find a home inspector? You can ask friends or business acquaintances to recommend a home inspector they have used. Or, you can use the Find An Inspector search tool for a list of home inspectors in your area who belong to the non-profit professional organization. To have a list mailed to you, call 1-800-743-ASHI (2744). Also, real estate agents and brokers are familiar with the service and may be able to provide you with a list of names from which to choose. Whatever your referral source, you can be assured of your home inspector’s commitment to professional standards and business ethics by choosing one who has membership in ASHI. What is ASHI? Since 1976, ASHI has worked to build consumer awareness of home inspection and to enhance the professionalism of its membership. The ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics serves as a performance guideline for home inspectors, and is universally recognized and accepted by many professional and governmental bodies. Who belongs to ASHI? ASHI is an organization of independent, professional home inspectors who are required to make a commitment, from the day they join as ASHI Associates, to conduct inspections in accordance with the ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, which prohibits engaging in conflict-of-interest activities that might compromise their objectivity. ASHI Associates work their way to ASHI Certified Inspector status as they meet rigorous requirements, including passing a comprehensive, written technical exam and performing a minimum of 250 professional, fee-paid home inspections conducted in accordance with the ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Mandatory continuing education helps the membership stay current with the latest in technology, materials and professional skills. When do I call a home inspector? Typically, a home inspector is contacted immediately after the contract or purchase agreement has been signed. Before you sign, be sure there is an inspection clause in the sales contract, making your final purchase obligation contingent on the findings of a professional home inspection. This clause should specify the terms and conditions to which both the buyer and seller are obligated. Do I have to be there? While it’s not required that you be present for the inspection, it is highly recommended. You will be able to observe the inspector and ask questions as you learn about the condition of the home and how to maintain it. What if the report reveals problems? No house is perfect. If the inspector identifies problems, it doesn’t mean you should or shouldn’t buy the house, only that you will know in advance what to expect. If your budget is tight, or if you don’t want to become involved in future repair work, this information will be important to you. If major problems are found, a seller may agree to make repairs. If the house proves to be in good condition, did I really need an inspection? Definitely. Now you can complete your home purchase with confidence. You’ll have learned many things about your new home from the inspector’s written report, and will have that information for future reference. |
WelcomePlease check our blog it will be updated periodically. Categories
All
|