Monthly Archives: Sep 2018

September 25, 2018 | Uncategorized | No Comment

August Market Update


September 25, 2018 | Uncategorized | No Comment

Cannabis Legalization in Ontario
How Does This Affect Landlords


Landlords in Ontario need to start thinking about how they will be impacted by the legalization of marijuana.  On October 17th, 2018, marijuana will become legal in Ontario for adults 19+ years of age. It will also be legal to grow up to 4 marijuana plants in your home. This is pretty straight forward for a home owner of a single-family residence but it is not as clear how landlords will deal with tenants use of marijuana in a condo, or apartment complex.  Tenants will have to be careful not to disturb neighbours down the hall with strong smells. Landlords are also concerned about the potential that growing marijuana plants could damage the property, specifically paint, carpets and drapery.  Most condominium boards are creating rules to deal with the legalization of cannabis and many are choosing to go completely smoke-free for all new tenants (tobacco and marijuana). Landlords of smaller residential rental complexes will need to stay current on updating their leases and understanding the laws and their rights.

What Ontario Landlords Should Consider:

There are many clauses that Landlords can include in a lease agreement and the new Ontario standard Tenancy Agreement has a section that is specific to smoking rules and you can ask the tenant to agree in writing to not smoke in the unit. If you are renting your condo, get a copy of the condominium rules and bylaws and include in the lease that the tenant must abide by such rules.  Many condo buildings are smoke-free now, this makes it a little bit easier.  Another factor to consider is the increased expense of hydro if your tenant does grow pot within their unit and how that may impact your hydro bill.  Consider who pays for the hydro? If it’s all inclusive, you may have to adjust your rental amount.  At some point insurance companies will start to have policies that address the smoking and growing of cannabis. Like all new things, there will be more to come once the law is passed. For help leasing your unit, a REALTOR can assist with specific critical clauses to protect you and your investment as much as legally possible.

September 17, 2018 | Uncategorized | No Comment

Back to School
Tips for Relocating During the School Year


The first week of school is always filled with excitement, possibly some relief for parents and often a lot of nerves for the whole family!  When families are considering making a move, timing doesn’t always line up perfectly with the start of the school year. Moving is never easy, but it is especially stressful if you are moving to a new neighbourhood during the school year. Here are a few tips to make your relocation a little easier.
Research schools: There are many public and private school options available in Toronto. Begin by researching nearby schools and enquire about their enrolment process, registration details and dates, and it never hurts to find out if there is an active parent council supporting the school.  You can also research different schools academic ratings and see where it scores in relationship to other nearby schools.  Once you decide on a school and are enrolled, request a tour for your children so they can become familiar with the building and potentially even meet some new friends or their soon to be teachers.
Get familiar with the area: Driving around the new neighbourhood is always a good idea to familiarize your children with the location of the school. Spend some time at a nearby park, or local restaurant to help make them feel more comfortable.
Social media: There is usually a Facebook or twitter group specifically for your neighbourhood and often for your school. Consider joining some of the local social media platforms to get to know other parents, to ask questions and to get real time updates on the happenings at your childs new school.
Routine: Switching houses, neighbourhoods and schools is hard on the whole family. Maintain rituals that routines that help the family adjust and remind your kids that even though you are in a new location, not everything in their world is changing!