February 10th is National Home Warranty Day in the United States, a day that helps to raise awareness of the value of home warranties and encourages homeowners to learn more about their coverage. While we do not have an equivalent celebration here in Canada, there’s a strong argument to be made that we should.
Buyers of newly built homes in Ontario benefit from a mandatory builder’s warranty that is the most comprehensive in the country. However, many of them do not fully understand what their warranty covers or how it works.
In the spirit of National Home Warranty Day, we asked our customer service team to share some of the most common questions they get (along with answers, of course) so that we can in turn help to educate other homeowners like you.
Here’s what we received:
1. How long does the warranty last, and are the same things covered for the full extent of it?
The warranty lasts for a total of seven years from the original date of possession (or occupancy date in the case of condominiums), and it’s divided into one-year, two-year, and seven-year coverages. For a breakdown of what’s covered in each of the three warranty periods, visit this page on our website.
2. What if I buy a home from someone else? Do I get the warranty?
If the home you purchase is under seven years old and is enrolled with Tarion, you’ll inherit the balance of the warranty coverage. To do so, however, you will need to contact us and provide us with proof of ownership so that we can update our records accordingly and share your home’s warranty history with you.
3. What can I do if my builder has not completed all of the items on my warranty form?
If there are items that are still unresolved at the end of your builder’s repair period, you can request a “conciliation” from Tarion. Conciliation is a process where Tarion assesses the items on your form to determine if they’re covered under the warranty, and if so, give your builder a final opportunity to resolve them. To learn more, visit the conciliation page on our website.
4. What are “seasonal” and “special seasonal” warranty items?
As you can imagine, your builder cannot complete repairs to the exterior of your home at all times of the year. “Seasonal” warranty items (like exterior painting, concrete, and brick work) and “special seasonal” items (like grading, sod, and driveways) require good weather conditions and therefore have different repair timelines that you need to be aware of. For more details, check out our blog article on these “warranty exceptions.”
5. What do I do if I find mould in my home?
Your first step is always to contact your builder. As the provider of your warranty, your builder should investigate the situation and take appropriate measures to resolve it. If your builder is unresponsive, you can contact Tarion for help. Our Technical Desk, which is made up of experienced warranty services staff, can provide in-depth warranty information for specific issues. You can reach our Technical Desk by contacting our customer service team.
Interested in learning more?
If you want to learn more about your warranty coverage or the warranty claims process, our website has a wealth of resources to help you out. Visit our Homeowner Learning Hub to access a wide array of articles, podcasts, videos, and more.
And keep in mind that Tarion supports your new home warranty and we’re always here to answer your warranty questions.
Happy learning!