Real estate law column by Bob Aaron

One of the most common complaints from condominium residents is noise coming from neighbouring units. In the last 40 years, more than 100 condominium noise cases have gone to trial in Ontario courts.

The latest of these involves an application by Elizabeth Dyke against Metropolitan Toronto Condominium Corporation 972 to require the condominium to enforce its noise bylaws. The building is a 349-unit high-rise on Wellesley St. E. near Yonge St.

An interesting decision from Toronto’s small claims court last December provides a useful lesson on the obligations of buyers, sellers and lawyers when a real estate transaction starts to go off the rails.

In his decision, Justice M. Donald Godfrey wrote that the case came to court because the parties and their lawyers were unable to work out a “reasonable compromise” on the closing of a transaction on Mould Ave., in Toronto.

Shortly after Sidney and his wife bought their Toronto home last fall, a number of their new neighbours told them that there had been a suicide there just prior to their purchase.

The neighbours knew in great detail that the event occurred in the basement washroom, and was soon followed by a crime scene-like display of 10 police cars, fire trucks and an ambulance.

Sidney emailed me to report that the seller told them that her brother, the original owner, died of a heart attack.

The property was inherited by the owner’s sister, who sold the house right afterward.

Five former board members of a London, Ont., condominium corporation have been personally ordered to pay costs totalling $36,300 as a result of two related lawsuits, after the old board ignored the wishes of a majority of unit owners. The old board had refused to recognize the results of a members’ meeting in which a new board was elected.