TORONTO: Tarion’s changes to its home enrolment fees will take effect on February 1, 2021. Tarion has been seeking input on additional changes to the requirements for Ontario new home builders to support the upcoming launch of the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA).
Enrolment fees are paid by builders when they enroll a home in the Ontario new home warranty and protection program.
Following public feedback received early last year, Tarion is moving forward with a reduction in home enrolment fees to offset the new fees being charged by the HCRA.
Tarion will be lowering enrolment fees by $55 per enrolment which will reduce the average enrolment from $1,080 to $1,025.
On February 1, 2021, the HCRA will be designated as the regulator of new home builders and vendors under the New Home Construction Licensing Act, 2017.
At that time, Tarion will no longer be responsible for registering builders and vendors of new homes but will continue to administer the warranties and protections under the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act.
Due to these changes, Tarion will be adjusting its operational policies, including:
• Eliminating certain Builder Bulletins and updating others to address changes to Tarion’s mandate following the launch of the HCRA;
• Creating four new Registrar Bulletins; and
• Developing new standardized Vendor and Builder Agreements to align with the new home enrolment process. Tarion will be renaming existing and new bulletins as “Registrar Bulletins” and re-numbering them to provide a coherent and sequential framework. These changes will help ensure a smooth transition for the launch of the new regulatory authority.
Public feedback is helping to inform Tarion’s policy changes to support the implementation of this key government initiative. Tarion said that it remained committed to modernizing and building a more transparent, fair, and accountable new home warranty and protection program, and will continue to apply necessary resources to implement the Auditor General of Ontario’s recommendations and other consumer protection initiatives.