Attention new homeowners: Don’t get your warranties mixed up

​(NC) One of the biggest sources of confusion among owners of newly built homes is their warranty coverage.

​To begin with, there’s the seven-year statutory warranty that all builders in Ontario must provide. Add to that the fact that many builders choose to offer their customers additional coverage and opportunities to make warranty requests, and it’s easy to see how it can all become a blur.   

The statutory new home warranty is the only one that is protected by Tarion Warranty Corporation, a private corporation established in 1976 to administer the new home warranty program. While your builder may or may not follow through on additional promises they make, you can count on Tarion for help in getting your statutory warranty claims resolved.  

Here’s a quick breakdown of when and how you can submit a claim to Tarion: 

The first year. In the first year of the warranty, you have two opportunities to submit a claim. The first is during the first 30 days after you take possession (or occupancy for condo units). Use the 30-day form to list any unresolved warranty items you and your builder identify during your pre-delivery inspection (PDI), as well as any new items that have arisen after you take possession of your home. You can submit only one 30-day form, so make sure you include all the items you want to report. 

Your second opportunity during the first year is during the last 30 days before the first anniversary of the date you take possession (or occupancy for condo units). Use the year-end form to list all outstanding warranty items to date. ?It’s important to note that the one-year warranty is the most comprehensive, and this is your final opportunity to report items covered by it.?If you do not submit this form before the deadline, you may risk not having certain items covered by the warranty. Only one year-end form will be accepted. 

The second year. You can submit a warranty claim at any time during your second year of warranty coverage, and as many claims as necessary. Use the second-year form to report any items that are covered by the two-year warranty. 

Years three to seven. During this timeframe you remain covered against major structural defects. You can submit a major structural defect form at any time during this window.

If you’ve just taken ownership of a new home, or you’re getting ready to, knowing how to separate the mandatory warranty from additional coverage offered by your builder will go a long way to ensure your peace of mind. 

Find more information at tarion.com