Course 1, Module 4, Lesson 1

Question 1

Who are the THREE main professions that are associated with land description?

Answer 1

1. Planners
2. Lawyers
3. Surveyors

Question 2

Ontario was initially surveyed into plots of land using what method?

Answer 2

This was done using Gunter’s Chain/chain and link method

Question 3

What are THREE important measurements related to Gunter’s Chain?

Answer 3

1. Each link is .66 feet
2. 80 chains = 1 mile
3. 100 chains = 1.25 miles (also the width of a concession)

Question 4

What were concessions further divided into?

Answer 4

Lots

Question 5

What is the distance between Yonge and Bayview?

Answer 5

6600 feet or 100 chains

Question 6

What is the order of land division from the original Simcoe Survey of 1792 (FOUR - largest to smallest)?

Answer 6

1. County
2. Township
3. Concessions
4. Lots

Question 7

How were county boundaries often delineated?

Answer 7

They either followed the edge of a body of water or went straight over land

Question 8

What is the most common shape of counties and townships?

Answer 8

Often square followed by concessions which cut strips into townships

Question 9

What is an example of a description of a lot in a county?

Answer 9

Lot 3, Concession III, Township of Tiny, County of Simcoe

Question 10

What are THREE different shapes/types of townships?

Answer 10

1. Single-front Township (200 acre lots)
2. Double-front Township (100 acre lots)
3. Sectional Township (100 acre lots)

Question 11

What was Metes and Bounds introduced as a way to measure property?

Answer 11

They were created to keep track of land when the population started to grow and lots were being divided in irregular shapes.

Question 12

How does the Metes and Bounds system measure property?

Answer 12

Essentially tracks a path from a logical starting point on the property to each corner of the property. In this process you start at one edge of the property, walk around the property back to that starting point and note the distance in relation to the northerly bearing (ie: north 20 degrees west for 300 feet)

Question 13

What is the definition of a Land Survey? (Hint: very broad)

Answer 13

“Ontario land surveyor’s determination of the boundaries of a piece of land”

Question 14

What are SIX things Land Surveys can help do?

Answer 14

1. Identify land
2. Identify location of structures
3. Identify distances to lot lines
4. ” “ encroachments
5. ” “ easements
6. ” “ ROWs

Question 15

What are the FOUR most common types of surveys?

Answer 15

1. Surveyor’s Real Property Report
2. Reference Plan
3. Plan of Survey
4. Plan of Subdivision

Question 16

What are the FOUR components of a survey?

Answer 16

1. Research - relevant data obtained by the surveyor prior
2. Measurements
3. Monumentation - physical marker posts at corners and intervals (existing or installed now)
4. Plan and report

Question 17

What does the Surveys Act say about the legitimacy of a survey

Answer 17

That it’s only legit if done by a registered surveyor

Question 18

What are the TWO main functions of the Surveyors Act?

Answer 18

1. Gives authority to the Association of Land Surveyors (AOLS) to govern Land Surveyors
2. Provides a code of ethics for surveyors

Question 19

What is another name for a Surveyor’s Real Property Report?

Answer 19

Building Location Survey

Question 20

What are the TWO parts of a Surveyor’s Real Property Report?

Answer 20

1. Plan of Survey - Only a visual representation of the property
2. Written Report - Follow OLSA standards

Question 21

What is a limitation and a use of a Plan of Survey on its own (1/2 of a Surveyor’s Real Property Report)?

Answer 21

1. Alone, it can’t be used to register at a land registration office
2. Useful alone to establish property boundaries or secure a building permit

Question 22

How many factors are there for a Surveyor’s Real Property Report to be considered complete and accurate?

Answer 22

TEN (see study notes for full if curious)

Question 23

What does a Reference Plan or “R-Plan” normally describe?

Answer 23

More than one interest in land

Question 24

When is a Reference or “R-Plan” often used? (Name THREE)

Answer 24

1. Severance of existing parcel
2. First registration application under the Land Titles Act
3. for clarity when Land Registrar determines that the title is too vague or complex

Question 25

What are three physical components of a Plan of Subdivision?

Answer 25

Lots, blocks of lands, roads

Question 26

What happens to the name of the plot when a new geographic ID is created for land through each plan of subdivision?

Answer 26

For example: a property that was initially part of Lot 2, Concession III, Township of Tiny, County of Simcoe. AFTER SUBDIVISION REGISTRATION = Plan 99M-165, County of Simcoe (clarify whether the word 'lot' is included in this + whether the Township is still included)

Question 27

What are FOUR ways you should take precaution re: surveys?

Answer 27

1. Up-to-date surveys are best 2. Need for a survey will depend on buyer/lender 3. Circulation of photocopied or partial surveys can be inaccurate 4. Should bear an impressed seal to be legit

Question 28

What is a Legal Land Description?

Answer 28

It is an alpha-numeric code that is unique to each property to accurately identify a piece of land (ie: what if two properties have the same address and look similar?)

Question 29

What are THREE parts of a Legal Land Description?

Answer 29

1. Location Reference - lot number, part lot number, plan of subdivision number etc could be used 2. Encumbrances - restrictions registered on the property such as an easement 3. Name of Municipality/registry office

Question 30

Given that a Legal Land Description is composed of locational references, encumbrances (as well as the city or registry office name) what is the meaning of the following abbreviations? 1. LT 2. S/T 3. PL 4. PT 5. T/W 6. PCL

Answer 30

1. Lot 2. Subject to 3. Plan 4. Part 5. Together with 6. Parcel

Question 31

What are the TWO land registration systems in Ontario, where are they most prevalent, what are they governed by, and which is older?

Answer 31

1. The Registry System is predominant in Southern Ontario and created under the Registry Act. It is the older of the two 2. The Land Titles System is prevalent in Northern Ontario and is governed by the Titles Act

Question 32

What is the difference between the Land Registrar under the Registry System (south) and that of the Land Titles System (north [newer])

Answer 32

The Land Titles System's Registrar maintains and guarantees the accuracy of titles.

Question 33

What is the MAIN difference which makes the Land Titles system superior to the Land Registry system?

Answer 33

Unlike the Land Registry System, the Land titles system isn't based on geographic location and instead each parcel has a unique parcel number.