New homes in Ontario are covered by a statutory warranty that the builder provides and Tarion administers. Builders must be licensed by the Home Construction Regulatory Authority to build and sell new homes, and every home is enrolled with Tarion before construction begins. The coverage runs in three overlapping periods from the date you take possession.
Year one
For the first year the home is warranted against defects in work and materials, against unauthorized substitutions of items you selected, and to be fit for habitation and built in accordance with the Ontario Building Code. This is the broadest period and covers most of what a homeowner notices in the first months: finish defects, doors and windows that don't operate properly, and similar items.
Years one and two
For two years the warranty covers water penetration through the basement or foundation walls and through the building envelope (roof, walls, windows and doors), defects in the electrical, plumbing and heating delivery and distribution systems, defects in exterior cladding, and violations of the Building Code that affect health and safety.
Years one through seven
For seven years the home is warranted against major structural defects: problems with load-bearing elements that cause failure, or that materially and adversely affect the use of a significant portion of the home.
Before you move in
Coverage also extends to your deposit and to delayed closing or occupancy, within limits set by Tarion. The pre-delivery inspection you walk through with your builder before closing is the first formal record of the home's condition, and it is worth taking seriously.
What it does not cover
Normal wear and tear, damage from improper maintenance, alterations made by the owner, and settling or shrinkage within normal tolerances are not warranted. Details on the specific items and tolerances are published in Tarion's Construction Performance Guidelines.
Blue Jay Homes is HCRA licensed and every home we build is enrolled with Tarion. If you have questions about how the coverage applies to a specific home, ask us; we would rather you understand it before you need it.