The Association of Ontario Land Surveyors (AOLS)

Surveyor's Real Property ReportA Surveyor's Real Property Report is a legal document that clearly illustrates the location of all visible public and private improvements relative to property boundaries. It generally takes the form of a plan or illustration of the various physical features of the property along with a written report highlighting the surveyor's opinion of any concerns. The plan and report may be combined on one document.

In a Real Estate transaction the Surveyor's Real Property Report can be relied upon by the purchaser, the seller, the lending institution, the municipality, the Realtor and all other parties to the transaction as an accurate representation of the property.

How much does a Surveyor's Real Property Report cost?

The amount of work to prepare a Surveyor's Real Property Report varies from one property to another, and so does its cost. Factors such as lot size and shape, number of buildings, natural features (trees, ravines, etc.) and the age of the property affect the cost of the survey.

It is important to remember that your Surveyor's Real Property Report represents only a small portion of your property investment and may help you to avoid costly and troublesome problems in the future.

A Surveyor's Real Property Report includes setting iron pins at the front property corners. Arrangements can be made to have the rear corners also marked but this will usually be at an additional cost. If other survey services are being contemplated. it may be economical to have the additional work performed at the time of the Surveyor's Real Property Report.

A Surveyor's Real Property Report Will Show

This plan represents a typical survey of a residential property. The highlighted letters on this plan show the most significant sections of information contained on a Surveyor's Real Property Report. See below for additional information pertaining to each section or "Click" on a letter to move to that section.

A:
This is the legal description of the property. In this case PART OF LOT 326, REGISTERED PLAN 2123 Y.

B:
The municipal address of the property which is commonly know as the street address.

C:
The dimensions and locations of property boundaries. This information usually consists of "Bearings" ( the angle that the property line takes relative to some fixed and known direction, usually Astronomic North for Northern Latitudes ) and Distances from property corner to property corner. The Bearings and Distances are a measure of the lot's dimensions.

D:
The location of all buildings relative to the property boundaries. These are usually shown as the distance taken at right angles (90 degree) from the property line to the building corner. A quick inspection of these building ties indicates whether any buildings encroach onto other properties or meet minimum setback requirements.

E:
The location of adjacent properties, roads, lanes, etc.

F:
The location and description of all pertinent improvements located on the property, along with the setbacks to the property boundaries. The projections of overhangs and eaves may also be noted.

G:
The type and location of any land-related encumbrances or interests on the property title including utility rights-of-way, roadways, neighbour's rights-of-way, etc.

H:
The location an type of survey bars marking the property corners.

I:
A note indicating for whom the plan is prepared.

J:
The Surveyor's Certificate indicating that the information represented on the plan is from actual field measurement and title research by himself or staff under his direct supervision.

K:

The Association of Ontario Land Surveyors Plan Submission Form.

What is involved in a Surveyor's Real Property Report ?

For your protection, a trained and licensed Ontario Land Surveyor is the only individual who can legally prepare a Surveyor's Real Property Report. A valid Surveyor's Real Property Report must bear the original signature and embossed seal of the Ontario Land Surveyor preparing the report. In all cases the Ontario Land Surveyor will undertake the following tasks in the preparation of the Surveyor's Real Property Report:

a search of title of the subject and abutting properties
a search of all pertinent encumbrances registered against the title of the subject property
a search of other surveyor's offices to obtain all plans relating to the location of boundaries of the subject property
a field survey to determine the actual dimensions of the property, the location of improvements and the setting of corner markers
an analysis of research and field data
the preparation of the plan illustrating the results of the field survey and the title search
the preparation of a written report providing the surveyor's opinion about any contentious issues that may have been found during the survey.

How does a Surveyor's Real Property Report protect you ?

In cases of dispute, your surveyor is an expert witness in court and assumes full professional responsibility for the accuracy of your survey. The cost of the survey is small as percentage of your total investment and a reasonable price to pay for peace of mind.

A Surveyor's Real Property Report:

Provides information about one of the largest financial investments most people ever make.
Identifies possible conflicts with adjoining owners.
Provides assurance and Peace of Mind about the location of all your boundaries.