Course 1, Module 4, Lesson 2

Question 1

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

Answer 1

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 2

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

Answer 2

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

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Unlike the Land Registry System, the Land titles system isn’t based on geographic location and instead each parcel is organized by ownership.

Question 4

Registry is now being digitized. What is the name of the e-system and what program maintains it?

Answer 4

1. Polaris

2. Teranet

Question 5

What are the 3 major benefits of conversion to E-registratrion

Answer 5

1. Quick ID of owner
2. Can determine what financing exists on the property
3. Can identify a multitude of issues that may affect the property

Question 6

Is it true or false that registries are being converted to the land titles system as they are being digitized?

Answer 6

TRUE

Question 7

What is the definition of title searching?

Answer 7

It is the process of locating, organizing, and condensing pertinent facts about documents and other material registered on title

Question 8

What allows the E-registry system to work so quickly?

Answer 8

Only contemporary interests exist, old ones are deleted

Question 9

What is the official name of a Land Titles Office?

Answer 9

“The Land Registry Office for the Land Titles Division of the Regional Municipality/County of _____”

Question 10

What are the THREE principles of the Land Titles System

Answer 10

1. Mirror Principle - reflects all relevant facts
2. Curtain Principle - not necessary to worry about past dealings on property
3. Insurance Principle - if the registry is wrong due to human error, will be compensated

Question 11

What part of what act is the Land Titles Assurance Fund created?

Answer 11

Part 5 of the Land Titles Act

Question 12

What is an example of a scenario in which an owner is entitled to funds from the Land Titles Assurance Fund (ie lost interest in land, can’t recover it, lost it due to fraud)

Answer 12

A dilapidated house isn’t lived in for some time. A fraud registers his name on title and sells the land. A new home is built and the fraud is long gone.

Question 13

How many years of outstanding claims are considered as registry documents are converted to the land titles system?

Answer 13

40 years. The system assumes prior errors or omissions would have been caught by law firms conducting the 40-year search required to transfer land.

Question 14

What is the name of the software used to streamline land titles conversion?

Answer 14

Teraview

Question 15

How many years or deeds are searched to establish ownership when converting from registry to land titles system?

Answer 15

At least 10 years of ownership or the last 3 deeds (whichever is longer)

Question 16

Are there squatter’s rights in the Land Titles System?

Answer 16

NO

Question 17

What are THREE differences between Land Titles Converted Qualified (LTCQ) and Land Titles Absolute (LTA)

Answer 17

1. LTA are subject to qualifiers of the Land Titles Act
2. LTCQs can take advantage of the assurance fund
3. LTCQs may be responsible to those who have a claim to the land by adverse possession, prescription, misdescription, etc.

Question 18

What is a property that is Land Titles Converted Qualified?

Answer 18

It is one which is brought into the Titles Registry System through administrative conversion to Polaris

Question 19

How has a property considered a Land Titles Absolute entered the Land Titles System?

Answer 19

Through first time application to the system. This accounts for about 35% of the system.

Question 20

If a title-related problem is encountered during the conversion and digitizing process, what will happen next?

Answer 20

It will be digitized but remain in the old Land Registry System rather than enter the Land Titles System

Question 21

Boundary issues are somewhat common (conflicting descriptions in adjoining deeds). What is recommended to find these?

Answer 21

Search for inconsistencies in surrounding properties

Question 22

What is the difference between Polaris and Teranet?

Answer 22

POLARIS is the mapping and property database of the Government of Ontario while TERANET takes care of the implementation, operation and enhancement of Polaris

Question 23

What does P.O.L.A.R.I.S. stand for?

Answer 23

The Province of Ontario Land Registration and Information System