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Key Points • Put the entire agreement in writing before work begins. • Avoid vague descriptions such as “renovate basement” or “complete electrical work.” • Include specific start dates, completion dates, and important project deadlines. • Tie payments to clearly defined stages of completed work. • Identify exactly what materials, fixtures, finishes, and services are included in the price. • Put every change to the project in writing, including changes to price and completion

Key Points In Ontario Small Claims Court, the successful party may ask the court for costs. Costs do not usually mean full reimbursement of all lawyer or paralegal fees. The court usually separates legal representation fees from disbursements. Disbursements include expenses such as filing fees, service fees, printing costs, and expert report fees. Legal costs in Small Claims Court are usually limited and modest. In most cases, representation fees are subject to a 15% limit. A

Consumers in Ontario may be able to cancel a contract if the seller used false, misleading, or deceptive statements before or during the sale. A “no refund” clause does not automatically remove rights under the Consumer Protection Act, 2002. If you relied on misleading advertising or sales promises, you may have legal options.

Key Points Not every annoyance is a legally recognized private nuisance. A private nuisance usually requires substantial and unreasonable interference with the use or enjoyment of land. Noise, smell, smoke, water leakage, vibration, trespass by animals, or repeated disturbance may become legally actionable. The interference must be more than a minor inconvenience. The court will consider the severity, duration, frequency, neighbourhood context, and effect on the property owne

By: Enze Zhang, Licensed Paralegal Ontario Small Claims Court now has a monetary limit of $50,000, excluding interest and costs. For many claims, this means that if your actual loss is higher than $50,000, you must either waive the excess amount or proceed in the Superior Court of Justice. However, there is an important distinction where counterclaims and set-off are involved. In a regular one-sided claim, the plaintiff cannot simply claim $80,000 in Small Claims Court and as

Key Points A “no refund” clause does not always end the dispute. Courts usually start with the contract wording, but they also look at fairness, performance, loss, and the surrounding facts. A business may have a stronger case if the clause was clear, agreed to, and connected to a real loss. A customer may have a stronger case if the clause was hidden, unclear, unfair, or used after the business failed to provide the service. In consumer transactions, Ontario’s Consumer Prote

Key Points A buyer should not assume they can walk away from a signed Agreement of Purchase and Sale. The first step is to review the purchase agreement and any inspection, insurance, repair, or final walkthrough clauses. If the damage is serious, the buyer may have options such as demanding repair, negotiating an abatement, delaying closing, or seeking legal advice about termination. If the defect existed before closing and was hidden or misrepresented, the buyer may have a

April 28, 2026 Key Takeaways: Tenants have the right to privacy in their rental unit. A landlord cannot enter whenever they want. In most cases, the landlord must give at least 24 hours’ written notice before entering. The notice should clearly state the reason for entry, the date, and the time. The entry time should usually be between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Tenants should not unreasonably block a lawful entry when proper notice is given. A landlord may enter without notice