The PYB Blog

At Protect Your Boundaries, we receive many questions from homeowners and Real Estate professionals about survey plans, property boundaries, and land rights. We have compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions and placed them in one convenient location so you can feel confident and informed when it comes to your property.

Every year, millions of visitors head to downtown Toronto to experience some of its most iconic landmarks, the CN Tower and Rogers Centre. Whether to cheer on their favourite team, ride the tower's glass elevator 1,136 feet into the sky, or simply observe the architecture from the ground, there is no denying the energy of this lively neighbourhood.

A recent Toronto Star article shed light on a case of mortgage fraud, where a daughter used her parents' home as collateral for a loan without their knowledge. This incident brings a broader issue to light—homeowners often assume they have full control over their property, only to discover hidden risks after it’s too late. While title insurance is frequently cited as a protective measure, this case reveals deeper vulnerabilities that go beyond fraud protection. It speaks to the importance of understanding your property boundaries, legal encumbrances, and potential risks long before a crisis occurs.

Before Nathan Phillips Square and Toronto City Hall, this part of downtown Toronto was home to one of the city’s first immigrant neighbourhoods—The Ward. Officially known as St. John’s Ward, it was a densely populated area where newcomers from America, Europe, China, and beyond—settled in search of opportunity.

Many of our customers ask about older surveys and their validity. It’s important to understand that land survey plans do not "expire"; rather, they become dated as the land changes and evolves. If a property remains unchanged for 50 years, a survey from that time would still accurately represent it. However, if the property has undergone renovations, landscaping, or other modifications, a new survey would be needed to reflect those updates.

It’s wintertime in Toronto, and while the city streets remain busy with workers, commuters, and visitors, the streets seem quieter than in the joyful summer months. The parks are less crowded, the patios are tucked away, and music from outdoor events is on pause. However, many Torontonians find a sense of togetherness through the winter months in their shared passion for the sport of hockey. Restaurants, bars, and homes alike are filled with the sounds of fans cheering for their favourite teams, finding warmth and camaraderie in the game that has long been a Canadian obsession.

Expanding your driveway is an effective way to increase parking space and improve the utility of your property. However, any modifications to your driveway or curb come with specific regulations and requirements, which vary from city to city. At Protect Your Boundaries, we encourage you to always have a land survey plan before you start any alteration to your property and be informed and proactive in following local guidelines to avoid future complications. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to driveway widening that protects your property and boundaries.

With Christmas just around the corner and the holiday season upon us, crowds will flock to the Distillery District in downtown Toronto, where the annual Christmas Market—now known as the Distillery Winter Village—takes place. First launched in 2010, the market quickly became a beloved holiday tradition, drawing visitors with its festive lights, holiday music, food, and attractions.

When the Distillery District is not adorned with holiday décor and bustling with festive activities, it serves as a cultural hub, known for its galleries, theatres, boutiques, restaurants, and public art displays. However, before this area was transformed into a charming neighbourhood with cobblestone streets and heritage buildings, it played a more industrious role in the City of Toronto.

In need of some retail therapy? The Eaton Centre is one of Canada's largest and one of Toronto’s most iconic landmarks—sprawling across several city blocks, it embodies the city’s diverse culture and active urban landscape. Before the bright lights and the expansive corridors, this land was part of a quieter Toronto, marked by small parcels of land. Historical surveys provide a unique insight into the transformation of this space and highlight the importance of preserving these records.

Owning a property with easements on it can be complicated, especially if those easements affect your desired use of the property or are in the way of something you want to build. Easements are legal rights granted to others—such as utility companies, to access a portion of your property for specific purposes like installing or maintaining utilities. Because easements impact a homeowner’s ability to use parts of their property freely, it is important to uncover and research any easements and understand their implications; ideally, this is done before you purchase the property.