Are You Buying a Grow House?

You are considering the purchase of a grow house. The agreement must be conditional on the following; namely that if there are any problems with the grow house will be cleared up prior to closing. Those problems are mold and air samples must be taken and analyzed by a licenced laboratory to ensure that the property is mold free.

Further more you will need clearance from the City Building department that all remedial work has been done prior to closing namely structural, plumbing, heating electrical as well as from the local hydro supplier and gas company that all arrears of these utilities have been paid before hydro service and other utility services are restored.

When you go to sell, You must notify the purchasers that the property was a grow house and what remedies have been taken to correct it.

The Hydro Company has probably taken the hydro meter and at this point in time there is no power or heat. It is not suitable for occupancy.

Banks are very reluctant to lend on a house that has no occupancy permit and my understanding is that you may be able to only finance half of the value of the land.

Air samples need to be taken outside as a base line and at different points in the house to establish how many mold spores are in the air.... measured in parts per million.

These air samples are tested and then those hired to clean up the drywall and surface mold are better prepared to deal with their working environment.

All ductwork and electrical must be removed to allow for cleaning of floor and ceiling joists and structures. All this then needs to be reinpected.

You will need an E S A certification that every receptical, light switch and power connection has been updated to current building code.

All these things take time and patience. Remember there will still be permits to be pulled and possibly even fines and deposits to be made before the occupancy permit is reissued.

If you need guidance with a Dope Grow OP I have done them in the last few years.

Resources Grow House Pamphlet: http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/d42/growhouse.pdf

List of Grow Houses:
http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/d42/20060220-d42_community_bulletin.pdf

You can contact me, Stan Gelman at 905 270 5110 or check out my web site Wise Lawyer Dot CA

Make Sure you Cap the Closing Costs

Many new home and condo Agreements of purchase contain hidden or unspecified charges that change prior to closing.

Charges that I have seen recently include;

Hydro Meters, Land Tax of $75, Hydro Installation $630, Security Deposit $500, New Home Warranty Program $734, Water Meter $390, Electronic Registration $ 175, Law Society Levy $52.50, tree planting or park land dedication that could be thousands.

These are in addition to the normal land transfer taxes that apply in a purchase. The 416 and 905 have separate Land Transfer Taxes. Rebates may be available for First Time Buyers.

Bring your contract in for a review during the conditional upon a solicitors review period and all these details can be explained to you. The Builders Lawyers will be contacted and appropriate revisions made.

Contact my office at 905 270 5110 or email Stanley Gelman sgelman.sglaw@rogers.com Check our website Wise Lawyer.ca or possibly you have a question. Add your question here.