New home warranties are one of the most troublesome issues for strata corporations. New home warranty reporting is confusing, complex and time-consuming. Reading the warranty fine print is as fun as open heart surgery. Some think of a home warranty much like a new car warranty: you have a problem, you call the builder and…
Read MoreThe schedule of standard bylaws found in the Strata Property Act contains a nuisance bylaw that prohibits the use of a strata lot or common property such that causes a nuisance or hazard to another person. Nuisance is a common issue in strata living and the word “nuisance” is a legal term. The purpose of…
Read MoreWith graduations, weddings, camping, and backyard BBQ's abounding, one might say 'tis the season for alcohol consumption. For most of us, the thought of killing someone is all we need to persuade us not to drink and drive, but for some that just isn't enough. As a result, the insurance companies and special interest groups…
Read MoreThere are several questions that personal injury lawyers get asked over and over again. This month's column sets out the top 3 questions I get asked with respect to car accidents. FAQ #1 — ICBC was paying for my physiotherapy/massage therapy/chiropractic treatments and now they have cut me off, are they allowed to do that?…
Read MoreIf a tree is straddling a property line between two neighbours’ yards, who owns it? What is the recourse if one neighbour wants to cut it down and the other doesn’t? This may seem like a silly legal question at first, but between feuding neighbors with differing degrees of arboreal affection, what to do with…
Read MoreLet me set the scene. You are the executor of your Aunt Etna’s estate. Her only son disowned her when he was in his twenties as he wanted to open a dog tattoo business and she was not as supportive of his dreams as he would have liked. Let’s call him Waldo. You had a…
Read MoreWhat's in your medical records? Do you know? The answer to this simple question can have a significant impact on what insurance companies, like ICBC, are prepared to offer you in the settlement of your accident case or why you might be denied coverage under your long-term disability policy or worker's compensation claim. As…
Read MoreIf you have been injured on the job you may be wondering about suing your employer, co-worker, the manufacturer of the equipment involved or some other person or entity involved in causing the injury. In most cases, you will not be able to sue your employer, co-worker or any other "employer" or "worker" as…
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As has been discussed in previous postings, all employee/employer relationships are defined by an employment contract. Sometimes these contracts are written out, however, many employment contracts are implied. Simply put, this means that the terms, conditions and dynamics of the employment relationship are based on experience and on the reasonable expectations of the employee and…
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As you may know, the buyer of an interest in real estate in BC must pay property transfer tax on the closing date of the purchase totaling 1% of the first $200,000.00, and 2% on the remainder of the fair market value of the property purchased (up to $2,000,000.00). Property transfer tax is payable at…
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