Tarion Continuing to Strengthen Consumer Protection Through Ontario’s New Home Warranty Program
Tarion Completed 95% of Recommended Actions, Says Auditor General of Ontario
TORONTO – Tarion continues to make progress in addressing recommendations from the Auditor General of Ontario with the release of the Auditor General’s 2023 follow-up to their report and Tarion’s updated implementation plan.
“Our goal is to provide those buying new homes with the best new home warranty protection program in the country and make it clear Tarion is here to support them in one of life’s biggest purchases,” said Peter Balasubramanian, President and CEO of Tarion. “Building on the valuable guidance from the Auditor General, we have continued to improve and make changes that benefit new homebuyers and owners.
With the new Customer Service Standard (CSS) regulations coming into effect as of May 1 of 2024, Tarion will have completed 54 of 55 recommended actions.
Changes to the CSS will help homeowners and create real improvements in their new home buying experience including:
Extending the initial homeowner submission period by 10 days (now 40 days) and making the 10-day grace period at the end of the first-year warranty period permanent.
Creating a mid-year submission at six months.
Allowing homeowners to add items to MyHome at any time during the first-year warranty period.
Expanding when homeowners can ask for a conciliation inspection during the first-year warranty period by removing the 30-day timeline for a homeowner to request a conciliation. Tarion has also recently developed a new policy for addressing items which were unfinished when a homeowner took possession and improved Tarion’s processes for the timely resolution of homeowner issues.
Tarion has also made additional improvements not recommended by the Auditor General, specifically by increasing the warranty compensation limit to $400,000, and creating a new Temporary Relocation Warranty to help cover the costs homeowners may have to pay if they are required to relocate while repairs are completed.
Tarion is making these changes and creating a stronger new home warranty and protection program to protect all Ontarians and increase consumer confidence when making one of their most important purchases, a new home
Additional Information
Tarion’s Implementation Plan on the Auditor General of Ontario’s Recommendations – 2023 Update
About Tarion
Tarion is the independent non-profit organization that administers the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act. Tarion provides education, warranty support and dispute resolution services to Ontario’s new home buyers and builders, and has been providing consumer protection to Ontarians since 1976.
For media request please contact:
Andrew Donnachie
media.inquiries@tarion.com