How to Spot an Encroachment - Window Wells? People are often surprised when they see window wells included on Real Property Reports. Consider for a moment what could happen when you install a window well inside a right-of-way where cables and gas lines may be present. In the City of Calgary, window wells [...]
How to Spot an Encroachment - Where is the Property Corner? Where is the property corner? When a surveyor walks up to a wall like the one pictured below, they will immediately wonder if the wall is built on top of the survey marker. In this case, we found the wall to be inside the [...]
Two Most Common Questions Asked by Realtors We receive many great questions from realtors about Real Property Reports, here are a few favorites. “On a recent listing, I noticed that the homeowner had covered the concrete swale in the backyard with patio stones. Will this show up on a Real Property Report?” Your question [...]
How to Spot an Encroachment Where is my Property Line? The image shows two views of the side yard and steps, from the inside and outside of the fence. Where is my Property Line? If you are viewing a home on a corner lot, it can be difficult to understand where the [...]
How to Spot a Bylaw Infraction What is a pergola? Surveyors show pergolas on Real Property Reports because they are considered additions to the house or a building like a shed. Encroachment into an Overland Drainage Right-of-Way It has been my experience that many people do not understand that a pergola is treated as [...]
How to Spot a Bylaw Infraction How long will it take to get a relaxation permit? Do those eaves seem too close together? Surveyors will focus their attention on any improvements that are close to either side of a property line. Anything close to a property line may indicate a bylaw infraction. The eaves [...]
Do Real Property Reports show Hot Tubs? Yes, hot tubs hold more than 0.60m (2 feet) of water and thus are classified as a pool by Alberta’s Building Code. If you think through the process of a homeowner purchasing and installing a hot tub, it becomes quickly apparent why municipalities and potential home buyers share [...]
How to Spot an Encroachment Because encroachment agreements take time Do you see the white retaining wall? The retaining wall extends out toward the street and stops 0.65m from the back of the city sidewalk. Most people understand that the sidewalk and some portion of the front yard is actually city-owned property. In this [...]
Spot the Bylaw Infraction You asked questions about deck heights on Real Property Reports. What do you see? Can you see the issue with this uncovered deck? Decks are a common feature in Calgary, and we receive many questions about them. The maximum height of the deck without a basement walkout is [...]
How to Spot a Bylaw Infraction because a brand new house can’t have any issues, right? Can you see it? A Real Property Report will show what would otherwise be invisible. Modern subdivisions often have a 3.5m Utility Right of Way along the front. In the property pictured here, the right of [...]
