How the Court deals with a home foreclosure depends on whether the mortgage is a high ratio, insured mortgage or a conventional mortgage where the borrower's down payment was at least 20% of the value of the home. If you are facing foreclosure in Alberta, it is important to know what type of … [Read more...]
All About Rental Fees (Part 2): Parking fees, late payment of rent fees, and lease break fees
Part 2 of this 2-part article looks at whether rental fees like parking fees, late payment of rent fees, and lease break fees are legal under Alberta's Residential Tenancies Act. Over the past year, CPLEA has been hearing about confusion over fees that landlords are charging tenants. The first … [Read more...]
All About Rental Fees (Part 1): Refundable vs non-refundable
Landlords try to charge fees, both refundable and non-refundable, for lots of things, but are these rental fees legal? CPLEA has been hearing lately about confusion over fees that landlords are charging tenants. There also seems to be confusion about whether increasing fees triggers rent … [Read more...]
Houseless Encampments: A political or legal issue?
Provincial and municipal laws apply to houseless encampments, but adequately addressing the root of the issue involves policy changes and political will. On November 23, 2022, an Encampment Response Team (ERT) composed of members from the City of Edmonton, Boyle Street Community Services, … [Read more...]
Double take on mortgages
Getting a mortgage to buy a home is a significant decision. Five things you should know about mortgages include lending terms, security for the mortgage, open vs. closed mortgages, and defaulting on the mortgage. AUTHOR'S NOTE Some of the following content is adapted from CPLEA’s Nested course. … [Read more...]
Canada’s First-Time Home Buyer Incentive Explained
Answers to your questions about Canada's First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, including who is eligible, how it works, repaying it, and other associated costs. In September 2019, the Government of Canada introduced the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive. The purpose of the Incentive is to make home … [Read more...]
What To Know When Buying your First Home
Eight things to know when buying your first home, including the professionals who will support you, real property reports and title insurance, property insurance, adjustments, holdbacks and more. Buying your first home can be an overwhelming and stressful process. Here are my top 8 things to … [Read more...]
The Transfer from Hospital to Continuing Care: The process & dispute resolution tools
Alberta Health Services facilitates patient transfers to publicly funded continuing care facilities, but bigger policy problems are constraining the process. It is a common yet difficult scenario. During a stay in hospital, it has become clear the individual’s existing housing arrangements are … [Read more...]
Hot Legal Topics of 2022
You asked and we answered - questions about interest rates, rent increases, layoffs and terminations of employment, grants of probate and conversion therapy. As another year ends, it’s a time to reflect back on the year that was and look forward to the year that will be. I think many of us are … [Read more...]
2022 Housing and Consumer Year in Review
A look back at important housing and consumer topics in 2022, including household debt, rent increases and housing affordability. If this year has taught us anything, housing and consumer law issues are more important than ever. We began the year hearing about soaring house prices throughout … [Read more...]
