Buying a Cottage

By Gary Keller

Congratulations!

You have decided to buy a cottage.

There are some significant issues to consider that are quite different from buying a house in the city.

Your potable water supply and waste treatment system will likely be your responsibility.  Drilled or dug wells are common.  Some cottages even use a direct pipe into a lake.  Water testing becomes a regular requirement.

There are many water purification or filtration systems to ensure a safe water supply.

Regular maintenance of the septic system is necessary to ensure that the system will perform when required and also contributes to its longevity.

Direct access to a municipal or provincial road is frequently overlooked.  Some properties rely on private rights-of-way which can be problematic unless you intend to arrive by seaplane or helicopter!

If your property is waterfront, it is important to note that you likely do not own right to the water’s edge.  Most of the lakes and navigable rivers in Ontario have a shoreline road allowance.  This allowance is 66 feet wide from the surveyed high water mark and provides access to the public.

A survey prepared by an Ontario Land Surveyor is recommended to define the lot boundaries and the shoreline road allowance.

Some financial institutions will not provide a mortgage for a cottage.  It is common for buyers to use a secured line of credit on their city property to provide the funds for the cottage.  If the cottage will not have a mortgage, the owner is not required to have fire and theft insurance. It is recommended that an insurance broker be consulted to ensure adequate coverage.

Enjoy your new property!