Peter Reinitzer

Latent Defects and Vendor Liability: Lessons from Austin v. MacFarlane

Peter Reinitzer March 6, 2026

A purchaser must inspect, but a vendor cannot hide behind “buyer beware” after actively concealing what is wrong with a home. In Austin v MacFarlane, 2026 ONSC 463, a North Bay buyer discovered foundation cracks, hidden mould, and an improperly built deck days after closing, with repairs exceeding $119,000. The Ontario Superior Court explains where vendor silence ends and active concealment begins.

No Damages Beyond “Buyer Beware”: Residential Renovations, the Building Code, and Construction Negligence

Peter Reinitzer January 20, 2026

When a homeowner takes on a major renovation, they can step into the legal shoes of a builder, and the duties that come with it cannot be signed away in a standard form contract. In Oliva v Dickson, 2025 ONSC 6666, the court mapped the intersection of contract, the Ontario Building Code, and the duty owed to later purchasers. The decision draws on Breen v Lake of Bays and Wesley v Geneau, two matters in which Davidson Cahill Morrison LLP acted for the successful parties.

Flooded Again? Why Your Insurance Denial Might Be a Clue to a Deeper Problem

Peter Reinitzer October 28, 2025

The news that a Toronto shelter was facing $250,000 in damages after heavy rain—and that their insurance provider would likely not cover the cost—is a

Feeling the Heat: A Homeowner’s Guide to Challenging an Insurer After a Fire

Peter Reinitzer September 23, 2025

Your Burning Question: Why Are Insurance Premiums So High? Homeowners across Ontario are feeling the financial strain as home insurance premiums continue their steady climb.

The High Cost of Unreasonable Conduct: Why a “Hardball” Litigation Strategy is a Costly Gamble

Peter Reinitzer September 9, 2025

It is a fundamental strategic decision in litigation: to offer nothing, or to offer next to nothing, in hopes of forcing a plaintiff to abandon

A Green Light for Pierringer Deals: How the Court in Cadieux Emboldens Settling Parties

Peter Reinitzer June 9, 2025

In the landscape of Canadian civil litigation, the Court of Appeal for Ontario’s decision in Cadieux v. Cadieux stands as a powerful affirmation of the

First Court of Appeal Decision Released in 2025 a Win for Davidson Cahill Morrison LLP

Peter Reinitzer January 5, 2025

I am proud to announce that the Ontario Court of Appeal’s first decision of 2025 is a win for Davidson Cahill Morrison LLP’s clients. The

Huether v Sharpe: Continuous Liability of Municipalities in their Regulation of Residential Construction

Peter Reinitzer July 12, 2024

The Building Code Act and the Ontario Building Code comprise a regime that both empowers and requires municipalities to regulate residential construction. The purpose of this regime is to protect the health and safety of the public by enforcing safety standards for all construction standards.[iii] With the coming into force of this regime on December 31, 1975, the Province of Ontario made the policy decision for municipalities to appoint inspectors who will inspect construction projects and enforce the applicable construction standards.

The Importance of Title Insurance in Real Estate Transactions

Peter Reinitzer April 23, 2024

Title insurance is commonly used in Ontario real estate transactions as a means of protecting property owners and mortgage lenders against certain risks associated with

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