Recently there have been changes to the Ontario’s New Home Warranty Program which came into effect April 1, 2026. New home buyers of new freehold homes in Ontario must register their purchase and notify their purchase to the Tarion Warranty Corporation within 45 days of signing the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. New home buyers will be required to register on the Tarion online portal [1]. This is a step towards consumer protection and to prevent illegal home sales. Let’s see how this will work.
Who it Applies to
This applies to new home buyers of newly constructed freehold homes. However, it does not apply to the purchase of newly built condominiums.
Registration Requirement
Registration must be completed:
- within 45 days of signing the Agreement of Purchase and Sale
- through Tarion’s online portal [2]
The buyer must provide the following information:
- buyer’s complete information
- builder’s complete name
- property address
- deposit amounts.
Why Register
By completing the registration:
- buyers become eligible for full deposit protection under the Ontario New Home Warranty Plan Act [3]. if the builder fails to complete the project or does not deliver the new home to the buyer in accordance with the executed Agreement of Purchase and Sale.
- Tarion Warranty Corporation will be able to verify and ensure that the vendor/builder is licensed and can sell homes legally. If the vendor/builder cannot sell home legally, Tarion can take immediate action in partnership with the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) [4] against the said vendor/ builder.
Background
Tarion provides new home warranty program in Ontario under the Ontario New Home Warranty Plan Act [5]. Tarion was formerly known as Ontario New Home Warranty Program. According to the laws of the province, all new homes are provided with the builder’s warranty. All new home buyers and consumers receive protection under the warranty program if the builders fail to fulfil their warranty obligations. The warranty plan is comprised of the warranties, protections, guarantee fund and compensation provided by this Act. [6].
[1] https://myhome.tarion.com/s/purchase-agreement-registration
[2] supra note 1
[3] Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act, RSO 1990, c O.31
[4] https://www.hcraontario.ca
[5] supra note 3
[6] Section 11(1),supra note 3
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