Tarion advises homeowners and builders on COVID-19 pandemic

The Ontario government, through the Ministry of Consumer Services, continues to empowered Tarion to administer and enforce the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act and Regulations.

As health authorities are encouraging individuals and businesses to take measures to reduce interactions to help slow the spread of the coronavirus/COVID-19, on March 13 Tarion put out an advisory informing the public of revisions to the act for the period of March 13-April 13.

The following revisions make the health and safety of everyone, including tradespeople, homeowners, builders and others a top priority during the coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis:

Access to Homes

Reluctance to open your home for trades and builders will not be viewed by Tarion as denied access during this period. When it comes to after-sales service in a home, we do not expect any homeowner to open their homes to trades or suppliers against their wishes. Similarly, builders and their trades and suppliers who do not wish to enter a home are not expected to do so.

Builder Repair Periods

Given the present extraordinary circumstances, all repair timelines will be suspended until April 13, 2020. For example, if today, March 13, is day 65 of a repair period, then day 66 would be on April 14.

We are monitoring the current situation and will review this timeline and advise of any extensions to the suspension prior to April 13, 2020.

This does not apply to emergencies or health and safety issues.

Conciliations

Conciliations, inspections, common element meetings and other possible in-person interactions booked over the next month will be postponed and rescheduled to the earliest available date (after April 13, 2020). This will be continually re-evaluated, and further advisories will be forthcoming.

Emergencies and Health and Safety Issues

Homeowners can still contact their builder and Tarion regarding any concerns with health and safety issues or other emergency concerns. Builders are advised to continue to follow the emergency processes outlined in Builder Bulletin 42 and Builder Bulletin 49.

Construction Schedules and Delayed Closing

There will be further information coming regarding possible impacts on construction schedules for new homes.

The Tarion site said it will continually be re-evaluating the situation, and further advisories will be forthcoming.If you have any concerns or questions, contact Tarion’s Customer Service team at 1-877-982-7466 or email covid19@tarion.com