Helpful Links
Below are links to web sites that may help you with your real estate buying or selling experience on the Manitoulin.
(In addition there are links to some local services. Inclusion of these links does not imply a personal endorsement.
Some links may appear because they have reciprocated with including my website in their list of links.
I am quite interested in reciprocating with other local service providers as well.)
Accommodations
Building Permits
The process to build on the Manitoulin is similar to other parts of Ontario. Links to the municipalities are provided below, each having their related by-laws.
On the west end of the Island there are 2 unorganized townships. Below are details on the process there.
Building Permits - Unorganized Townships
See article in Cottage Life, June 12th 2017.
On the Manitoulin there are 2 planning boards. For our unorganized townships the governing board is the Manitoulin Planning Board.
Buyers
See also Buying Property on Manitoulin page.
Ferry from the Bruce Peninsula to Manitoulin Island
Island Services
Water Quality Testing for Sellers & Buyers, Wahl Water
Manitoulin & Area History
by Shelley Pearen
Manitoulin in 1867: Town of Little Current
Manitoulin's Anishinaabe Residents
Surveying Manitoulin's Tehkummah, Allan, Campbell & Carnarvon Townsips
Surveying Manitoulin's Sandfield & Gordon Townships
Champlain's Contact with First Nations in Georgian Bay - 400 yrs ago
Manitoulin Planning Board
Movers
282-4159 Lonny's Moving
Municipalities (east to west)
859-3122 Wiwemikong Band
368-3500 Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands (Little Current)
368-2781 Sheguiandah First Nation
859-3196 Township of Assiginack (Manitowaning)
368-2228 Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation
377-5726 Central Manitoulin (Mindemoya)
377-5362 M'Chigeeng First Nation
282-2611 Municipality of Billings (Kagawong)
282-2702 Municipality of Gordon/Barrie Island
282-2420 Town of Gore Bay
282-0624 Township of Burpee Mills
Township of Robinson (unorganized)
Township of Dawson (unorganized)
Places to Eat
See also Manitoulin Dining on ManitoulinTourism.com
Real Estate Lawyers (east to west)
705 968-1212 Samantha Ramage (Little Current) to email, select this link
705 377-4533 Janelle Proulx, (Mindemoya) to website, select this link
705 377-4663 Michael Semeniuk (Mindemoya) to website, select this link
705 282-3241 Brad Allison, (Kagawong) to email, select this link
249 497-1010 MLA Law (Gore Bay) to email, select this link
705 282-2710 Santoro Law (Gore Bay) to email, select this link
Reference Material (for buying and selling)
Asbestos - CREA Publication
- [link temporarily not available]
Blue-Green Algae
Farm Properties
- Minimum Distance Separation Formulae
- The Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) Formulae is a land use planning tool that determines a recommended separation distance between a livestock barn or manure storage and another land use. The objective of MDS is to prevent land use conflicts and minimize nuisance complaints from odour.
Home Inspections
- A guide that I have prepared for Buyers and Sellers.
Insurability of Property with Structures
Local red flags can be;
- Oil Heating
- What is important to note is that insurance companies are now demanding higher standards than those outlined with TSSA. Refer to this article for more details on this and some information on oil heating versus other options.
- Wood Heating (WETT Inspection)
Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program
For landowners who own more than 4 hectares of forest land.
Land Transfer Tax
- Land Transfer Tax
- Land Transfer Tax Calculator (be sure to stay with default location - Rest of Ontario)
- Refund for First Time Buyers
Marine (Shoreline) Allowance
- Most waterfront property on the Manitoulin Island has a 66" Marine (or Shoreline) Allowance that starts from what was deemed to be the high water mark when the first survey was conducted in that area. (Sometimes referred to as the 100 year high water mark.)
- I have PDF file available at your request with more information on this topic.
Mortgage Insurance
- Mortgage Insurance allows buyers to borrow from a lending institution with less than 20% of the purchase price down. This insurance protects the lender. There of course is a cost to the buyer for this protection.
- Providers of Mortgage Insurance in Canada.
Offer Wording
Represents and Warrants Clause
- The Doctrine of Merger. Refer to this link for an explanation of the ".. this warranty shall not merge, but shall survice ..." phrase.
Radiant (Elecrtic) Ceiling Heat
- In the 70's it wasn't uncommon for new homes in Ontario to have Electric (Radiant) Heating systems installed in the ceilings of various rooms.
- To date I have been unable to find good online articles explaining the history, typical installation, and the potential problems.
- It is my understanding some installations and technologies were perfectly fine and operate well today, while others were not.
- Therefore when considering a home with this type of heating source I would suggest that it be inpsected by a licensed electrician, and you may also want to confirm insurability.
Radon Gas
- I am not aware of concerning levels of Radon Gas being detected in any homes on the Manitoulin Island.
- Radon Exposure and Canadian Homes - CREA Publication
Road Access Act
- In 1990 this act was introduced in the Provice of Ontario intended to protect access t0 land locked properties.
- Simple explanation and some insight in to why this protection is not an absoulte.
- The Act.
Septic Systems
Types or Classes of Septic Systems
Sudbury & District Health Unit
Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish
Copy of Record Request (Use Permit)
Ontario Onsite Waste Water Association
YouTube Video on a Class 4 Systems (by OMAFRA)
Tannins in Groundwater (Humic Substances)
There are some locations on the Manitoulin where this can be found in the ground source water.
Title Insurance
This link is to a good article that appeared in the Toronto Star.
Vermiculite - CREA Publication
Water Quality
- The areas serviced on the Manitoulin with municipaly run water systems are limited. As a result the source of water for many Island properties is the lake or a form of a well.
- Therefore understanding the quality of your water source should be an important consideration. This is not only for health reasons, but some impurities can damage plumbing and equipment.
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Also mortgage lenders often require confirmation that the E-Coli and Coliform counts are acceptable for the drinking water.
- Local health units in Ontario offer a service to process samples for the above at no charge to the public.
- On the Manitoulin, samples are to be dropped off at the local Sudbury & District Health Unit office in Mindemoya at 6163 Highway 542
- NOTE: Samples have to be dropped off no later than 10:00am Thursday morning to get to the lab before the weekend.
- For more thorough Water Quality Testing you may also want to contact this local service, Wahl Water
- See Item #2 on this Link - Public Health Ontario
- NOTE: For current or future owners and operators of small drinking water systems, refer to this Link. Applicable would a lodge or resort with treated water servicing cabins.
Wells (ground source water)
Well Owners (MOE)
Water Quality - refer to the section above
Insurers now require a 3rd party report from a WETT certified inspector approving the wood burning systen in order to provide coverage.
It is important to know that there are different levels of inspection. See below for the details and the scope of each.
Work Permits (Water Lines and Shoreline Work)
This link is to a reference document prepared by NEMI.
Sellers
See also Selling Property on Manitoulin page.
Well Drillers (Licensed)
377- 5384 Ted Wright Well Drilling
377-5335 O. Bond and Sons