How do I verify property boundaries?
Want to sell in Georgetown? Here’s the fastest, legal way to verify property boundaries and close without drama.
Why verifying property boundaries matters when selling in Georgetown, ON
Selling a home in Georgetown, Ontario without confirming your property boundaries is asking for delays, legal bills, and reduced sale price. Buyers and lawyers expect clean title, clear lines, and verified documentation. In Halton Hills and the Town of Georgetown, municipal records and local surveys matter — and so does acting fast.
If you want a smooth sale and to avoid disputes over fences, driveways, or encroachments, treat this as a priority, not an afterthought.
Quick overview: the 7-step checklist every Georgetown home seller must follow
- Gather your documentation: deed, transfer records, prior surveys, reference plans.
- Run a title search or confirm with your lawyer/Title Company (Teranet / ONLAND).
- Get a copy of the Reference Plan (R-Plan) or Parcel Register for your PIN.
- Hire a licensed Ontario Land Surveyor (OLS) in Georgetown/Halton Hills if records are unclear.
- Physically verify boundary markers and fence lines with the surveyor.
- Resolve encroachments, easements, or rights-of-way with legal counsel.
- Provide clear disclosure to buyers and upload verified documents to your listing.
Follow these steps and you remove the top reasons for buyer objections and slow closings.
Step 1 — Collect all property legal documents (what to look for)
Start at home: pull any deed copies, past survey plans, builder documents, and the deed’s legal description. Key items to find:
- Land transfer/deed with legal description
- Reference Plan (R-Plan) or survey certificate
- PIN (Property Identification Number)
- Municipal tax bill and any property tax roll numbers
- Building permits or Septic/Well records if applicable
These documents speed up the title search and give your lawyer and buyer a clear starting point.
Step 2 — Title search: where and what to check in Georgetown
Ontario records are now largely online via Teranet/ONLAND. Your lawyer or title company will pull the Parcel Register and identify:
- Registered owner(s)
- Legal description and PIN
- Registered easements, rights-of-way, and mortgages
- Historical transfers or boundary modifications
If your Parcel Register references an R-Plan, that plan shows the surveyed lot lines. If it doesn’t, you’ll need a survey.
Step 3 — Reference Plan (R-Plan) and surveys: read them like a pro
An R-Plan (Reference Plan) is the legal map for your lot in Ontario. It shows bearings, distances, and monument locations. Look for:
- Plan number (R- or RP-)
- Bearings and metes & bounds
- Surveyor’s stamp and date
- Monument notes (iron bars, concrete monuments, pins)
If the R-Plan is old or missing monument info, order an up-to-date survey. In Georgetown’s older neighbourhoods, older plans may not match today’s conditions.
Step 4 — Hire a licensed Ontario Land Surveyor (OLS) in Halton Hills
No shortcuts: hire an OLS. A municipal clerk, a realtor, or a local lawyer can recommend one. Expect the surveyor to:
- Verify monuments and boundary corners on site
- Produce a current certified survey plan and report
- Identify encroachments, easements, and discrepancies
- Provide a digital file that can be shared with buyers and lawyers
Cost and timing: a typical residential re-survey in Georgetown runs between $1,200–$3,000 depending on lot complexity. Turnaround is often 2–6 weeks.
Step 5 — Physical verification: what the surveyor will check on your land
Surveyors look for physical markers, including iron bars, concrete monuments, rebar and pins. They’ll check fence lines, driveways, landscaping, and structures for encroachment. If your neighbour’s fence sits over the line, the surveyor will mark exact coordinates and produce a legal sketch.
Document everything. Take photos of corner markers, fences, and any area of concern. These images help your lawyer and buyer assess risk.
Step 6 — Legal issues: easements, encroachments and rights-of-way in Georgetown
Common legal issues that affect boundary verification:
- Encroachments: fences, sheds, or driveways over the legal line
- Easements: utility access, shared driveways, or municipal rights
- Adverse possession claims (rare but possible)
- Discrepancies between deed and actual possession
If an encroachment exists, the options are: obtain a signed encroachment agreement, apply for a minor boundary adjustment, remove the encroaching structure, or disclose and price accordingly. Your real estate lawyer will advise the fastest, most cost-effective route for sale.
Step 7 — Disclosure and paperwork to present to buyers
When selling, provide clear documentation: the certified survey plan, Parcel Register, R-Plan, and a written disclosure of any encroachments or easements. List these items in your MLS remarks and provide them to prospective buyers and their lawyers early.
Transparent documentation reduces renegotiations and boosts buyer confidence.
Local resources every Georgetown seller should use
- Town of Halton Hills — property maps and GIS services (search municipal address and lot data)
- Teranet / ONLAND — official land registry and parcel registers
- Ontario Land Surveyors Association — find licensed OLS in Halton Hills
- Local real estate lawyers experienced with Georgetown property law
Using local resources speeds resolution and provides authoritative records for closing.
Common boundary scenarios in Georgetown and how to handle them
- New subdivision lot: developer survey + digital plans exist. Confirm R-Plan and registered easements.
- Century home on a mature lot: old pins may be gone. Order a modern re-survey and hire an OLS experienced with older plans.
- Shared driveway or party wall: confirm written easement or agreement. If none exists, negotiate a formal easement before closing.
- Fence disputes: verify with a survey. If fence is over the line, either move it or secure an encroachment agreement.
Pricing, timeline and what to budget for
- Basic title search and Parcel Register: included with lawyer fees (part of closing costs)
- Certified re-survey: $1,200–$3,000 typical for single residential lots in Georgetown
- Legal review and documentation: variable, often $500–$1,500 depending on complexity
- Possible boundary adjustment or encroachment resolution: costs vary greatly
Start the process as soon as you list. Time saved on closing is worth the upfront cost.
Why local expertise matters: don’t let out-of-town advice slow your sale
Georgetown and Halton Hills have local quirks: older survey practices, unique municipal bylaws, and specific subdivision plans. A surveyor and lawyer who know Georgetown cut through ambiguity fast. Realtors who work the market daily understand what buyers expect to see in paperwork.
If you want the deal done fast and clean, work with local pros who know how Halton Hills processes title and planning files.
How Tony Sousa helps Georgetown sellers (direct, action-oriented)
Tony Sousa is a local real estate advisor who coordinates the entire boundary verification process for sellers in Georgetown, ON. He will:
- Review your existing documents and advise on gaps
- Recommend trusted local OLS and real estate lawyers
- Help order surveys, gather municipal records, and present certified plans to buyers
- Negotiate around encroachments and easement issues to keep your sale on track
Contact Tony directly: tony@sousasells.ca | 416-477-2620 | https://www.sousasells.ca. If you want a fast, documented sale in Georgetown, he’ll get you there.
Final checklist before listing (one-page action plan)
- Pull deed, PIN, and any past surveys
- Order Parcel Register from lawyer/ONLAND
- Hire OLS if monuments are missing or records are unclear
- Get certified survey plan and photos of markers
- Disclose issues and provide documents to buyers early
- Resolve or price encroachments and easements ahead of offers
Do this and you remove the most common legal roadblocks that kill deals in Georgetown.
FAQ — Property boundaries, legal documentation and selling in Georgetown, ON
Q: What is the fastest way to confirm my property boundaries in Georgetown?
A: Order a certified re-survey from a licensed OLS in Halton Hills. Expect 2–6 weeks. In parallel, have your lawyer pull the Parcel Register from ONLAND to confirm legal descriptions.
Q: How much does a re-survey cost in Georgetown?
A: Common range is $1,200–$3,000 for a standard residential lot. Complexity, lot size and access drive the price.
Q: Can a surveyor move my fence to the correct line?
A: No. A surveyor locates and marks the boundary. Moving a fence requires agreement with the neighbour or a legal solution.
Q: What if my neighbour disagrees with the survey findings?
A: Most disputes settle after an OLS-certified plan clarifies the line. If disagreement persists, legal mediation or court may be needed. Your lawyer will guide this.
Q: Where do I get the Parcel Register and R-Plan for my Georgetown property?
A: Your real estate lawyer can get them from Teranet/ONLAND. Some municipal GIS tools provide supportive mapping but the Parcel Register is authoritative.
Q: Do I need title insurance if I have a survey?
A: Title insurance and a survey serve different purposes. Title insurance protects against hidden title defects. A survey shows physical boundaries. Both add protection for buyers and sellers.
Q: How long will boundary issues delay a sale?
A: If you’ve prepared documents before listing, minimal delay. Unresolved encroachments usually cause 2–8 week delays; contested disputes can take months.
Q: Are older R-Plans valid in Georgetown?
A: Yes, but older plans may lack precise monument records. When monuments are missing, an OLS will re-establish lines and issue a modern plan.
Q: Who pays for a new survey when selling a home?
A: Typically the seller pays for a re-survey. Sometimes buyers request an up-to-date survey as a condition; costs can be negotiated.
Q: How to disclose boundary issues in MLS for Georgetown listings?
A: Add a short note that a certified survey is available and list any known easements or encroachments. Provide scanned documents to interested buyers and their lawyers.
Want help getting your paperwork in order? Contact Tony at tony@sousasells.ca or 416-477-2620. He handles the local steps so your sale closes on time and on price.
