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Pordell v. Crowther 2020 Ont SCJ

A fire occurred in a house before the closing of an agreement for sale. The agreement was based on the standard OREA form of contract. It stated that the buildings remain at the risk of the seller and that the seller holds all insurance policies in trust for the parties as their interests may appear. It gives buyer the right to terminate the agreement or complete it and take the insurance. Notwithstanding the agreement, no insurance was available because seller had left the property empty for more in 30 days. Buyer attempted to view the damage and obtain information regarding the repairs that seller made. Seller stonewalled buyer and, accordingly, buyer refused to close. The judge ordered the return of buyer’s deposit.

Written by Jonathan Speigel, the founding partner of Speigel Nichols Fox LLP, leads the litigation and construction practices.