If you’ve been considering a new home, you may have seen the numbers 2-5-10. You may know they refer to British Columbia’s new-home warranty, but what you may not be aware of is how they affect you as a new homeowner and more importantly, how they protect you.
In this issue of New Home + Condo Guide, we chat with Cathy May, customer relationship manager at Infinity Properties, about what the 2-5-10 New-Home Warranty stands for, and what a homeowner’s responsibilities are to keep it current.

New Home + Condo Guide: What protection does the 2-5-10 New-Home Warranty give a person who chooses to buy a brand-new home?

Cathy May: In simple terms, the warranty covers defects in materials and labour for the first
two years, defects in the building envelope—things like unintended water penetration for example—for the first five years, and structural failures for the first 10 years. Obviously, some limitations apply, but those are the basics.

NH+CG: What’s the process if someone makes a claim under the program?

CM: They need to send in a service request to the builder or developer they purchased their home from. Most larger, multi-family developers, including Infinity, now offer some kind of online system for doing this, so it’s very quick and straightforward. It’s important, however, to understand that if anyone other than the developer’s designated tradesperson gets involved, it nullifies the warranty on that item. So, suppose your bathroom faucet starts leaking and your dad, who’s a plumber, happens to be visiting. It’s tempting to have him try to fix it for you on the spot— he’s a professional after all. But if he does, that leak won’t be covered under warranty, so what you should do is simply turn off the water at the shut-off valve and send in a service request.

NH+CG: What other things should homeowners be aware of but often aren’t?

CM: If you’ve got a detached garage, a garden shed, or other type of outbuilding, it won’t be covered. Neither is landscaping, which is often mandated by the municipality you’re located in. We had one instance a few years ago where part of the community’s lawn wasn’t doing well because it was located in a shady area. Unfortunately, that was what the city had required, so there wasn’t anything we could do.

NH+CG: What about the common areas of a multi-family property?

CM: The process is much the same as it is for your own home, although common areas are covered for the first 15 months and are managed by the strata. So, let’s say Fortis BC identifies a gas leak in a property’s amenity room. They would notify the strata who would notify the developer who would then send in their mechanical specialist to fix it.

NH+CG: Does an owner have responsibilities to keep their warranty current?

CM: Yes, they have the duty to mitigate by maintaining their property correctly. Some examples would be changing furnace filtres annually, checking grouting around the faucets and the caulking on bathtubs and showers, as well as keeping gutters clear of leaves. Another thing many people aren’t aware of is having their dryer vent blown out once a year. And even though many of these things are usually arranged by the strata, it’s not always the case, so the owner has a responsibility to take care of them on their own.

NH+CG: Any final words?

CM: Most builders create a warranty binder to give to each of their buyers containing the information and timelines they need to know about. BC Housing also has a detailed explanation on their website. I’ve found that most people just want to understand how the warranty works, even if something isn’t covered. That’s why it’s always important to nurture a good relationship with your builder or developer.

To learn more about Infinity Properties, visit infinityproperties.ca