All new homes built by HCRA-registered builders in Ontario are covered by Tarion warranty. This guide covers coverage periods, critical claim deadlines, documentation best practices, and the conciliation process.
Tarion Warranty Coverage Periods
One-year warranty: Unauthorized substitutions, OBC violations, defects in work and materials.
Two-year warranty: Water penetration through basement/foundation walls, defects in HVAC/electrical/plumbing/cladding, OBC health and safety violations.
Seven-year warranty: Major structural defects — damage to load-bearing elements that significantly impairs use of the building.
Critical Claim Deadlines
30-day list: Submit within 30 days of possession. Captures all visible deficiencies from move-in inspection. Missing this deadline can waive claims for items that were visible.
Year-end list: Submit between day 11 and month-1 anniversary of possession. Items appearing during first year of occupancy.
Second-year list: Submit between months 21-24. Must be submitted to preserve two-year warranty claims.
Documentation Best Practices
Photograph all deficiencies before and at possession. Keep all communications with builder in writing (email). Submit claims through MyHome portal at tarion.com and keep copies. Builder has 120 days to repair warranted items (30 days for urgent items).
Conciliation Process
If builder refuses to repair a warranted item: request Tarion Conciliation ($282.50 fee, refunded if claim upheld). Tarion field officer makes binding determination. If confirmed and builder still refuses, Tarion repairs directly and bills builder.
Full guide: https://telegra.ph/Ontario-New-Home-Tarion-Warranty-Guide-2026---Coverage-Timelines-and-Claims-04-26