Recent changes to Ontario’s HST rebate for new homes are signaling meaningful progress toward easing affordability pressures and bring growing confidence in the housing market as the spring selling season begins.

For those looking to jump into the market and buy their first house, it’s important to think beyond the finishes of your new home, to make sure you understand what comes next in the process and other important aspects of the builder’s warranty.

You’ve signed your agreement – what’s next?

You’ve found your dream home, signed the purchase agreement and started counting down the months until move-in.

When you buy a new home in Ontario, your builder will provide a Warranty Information Sheet at the time of purchase. On it, you’ll see a unique Home ID.

Think of it as the key that links your home and purchase to the protection Tarion can provide. With that Home ID in hand, you can register your purchase at tarion.com/registermyhome.

As of April 1, 2026, new freehold home purchasers must register their new home purchase with Tarion within 45 days of signing their purchase agreement with a builder.

Registration is quick, free and easy to do online.

Register with Tarion to ensure protect your investment

Once you’ve registered, Tarion can confirm that your deposit is protected and allows us to let you know exactly how much of your deposit is covered by the warranty program. This can be important information for you as a consumer, so make sure you use the link to register for free within 45 days of signing your agreement.

Registering also allows Tarion to provide you with information that outlines what’s covered under your builder’s warranty and what steps you may need to take and when – such as the pre-delivery inspection and in the early days after you take possession – before you even get the keys to your home.

Finally, registering helps protect you and other consumers from illegal actors. Once a sale is registered, Tarion can review the information and identify any potential issues and any illegal or unapproved new home sales activity. If something about a sale is not compliant, early visibility helps Tarion take steps to protect you and other buyers.

Ontario’s New Home Warranty 101

Tarion’s support begins the moment you sign your purchase agreement, before your new home is built.

While most homes are delivered to their purchaser on time and with no issues, if something does happen and your builder doesn’t deliver your home or return your deposit as required, Tarion provides deposit protection coverage up to specific limits.

Once you move in, the builder’s warranty provides coverage for seven years. During that time, homeowners have protection against a range of potential issues, including one-year coverage for unauthorized substitutions, defects in work and materials, two-year coverage for defects in the home’s systems (such as plumbing and electrical), as well as seven-year coverage for major structural defects. These protections help ensure that you get the well-built home you paid for – and Tarion is there to support you if the journey doesn’t go as planned.

From start to finish, Tarion is here to help you make informed decisions, avoid unnecessary risks and feel confident in one of life’s biggest purchases. Whether you’re preparing for your pre-delivery inspection or submitting a warranty claim after move-in, Tarion is here to help every step of the way.

More information is available at tarion.com.