WHAT IS A CERTIFICATE OF LOCATION?
A certificate of location is an official document expressing the opinion of a land surveyor on the current situation and condition of the boundaries of a property (the land). The professional takes into account the title deeds, the cadastre, and the laws and regulations that may affect the property. Members of the Ordre des arpenteurs-géomètres du Québec (OAGQ) are the only professionals with the necessary qualifications to produce a certificate of location.
THE USEFULNESS OF A CERTIFICATE OF LOCATION
The certificate of location is used when buying or selling a property, when applying for authorisation for a new construction and when an individual makes a commitment to a financial institution for a mortgage. In the first situation, the certificate of location helps to reassure the buyer and protect the seller on the official limits of the property. In the second situation, it is the municipal authorities that require the document to verify that the construction complies with its regulations. In the last situation, the creditor may require the certificate to ensure that there are no irregularities.