Is that new home being built legally?
Raising awareness of shady practices in the housing industry
MILLBROOK — Home construction industry partners came together Monday morning in Millbrook to raise awareness about illegal building.
Members of the Ontario Building Partnership – Tarion, the Ontario Building Officials Association, Ontario Home Builders’ Association and Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders’ Association met at the Highlands of Millbrook sales centre.
The industry partners are working to boost local consumer education, advocating for a province-wide illegal building prevention program and lobbying for the creation of more consistent standards across the province.
Garnet Northey, president of the local home builders’ association, pointed out how he frequently hears from those who were told that they don’t need a warranty, because their local cottage is technically not a home.
“That’s just not right,” he told the gathering in the kitchen of the model unit overlooking the sprawling phase one of the 345home development under construction. “There’s a lot of misinformation out there and that’s really concerning.”
Tarion stakeholder relations vice-president Siloni Waraich noted that a home is often a family’s largest investment – meaning and the regulator has seen its share of heart-wrenching stories stemming from unlicensed builds.
The agency paid out some $1.5 million (of $13 million in claims) for illegally built homes in 2017, she said.
If someone’s life savings have been taken and they legitimately did not understand the situation, Tarion will still fulfil its consumer protection role, Waraich said. “We want to make sure we are still there to protect people.”
Each of the province’s 5,400plus licensed builders must go through an annual renewal process, so if they are not listed in Tarion’s Ontario Builder Directory, that should raise the first red flag, Waraich said.
Owner-built homes are not enrolled with Tarion and do not have a statutory warranty, so some are taking advantage of the “loophole” by selling their new homes a few months later to turn a profit, provincial home builders’ association CEO Joe Vaccaro said. He vowed to continue to push the province on the issue.
“The last government failed us on that,” he said. “It leaves consumers vulnerable three or four years down the road.”
The industry partnership aims to ensure customers are protected, he said, adding that is the best way to provide consumers assurance. “New home buyers should have confidence in the homes they purchase.”
Vaccaro also pointed out that those who pull their own permits assume the same responsibilities a licensed builder would, including being on the hook for health and safety liability and running their own business.
Devin Durish, deputy chairman of the Ontario Building Officials Association Liftlock Chapter and inspector with the city, highlighted that the permit process ensures building standards are being met, protecting consumers.
“We’re there for public safety and as a resource, when needed,” he said. “We want to make sure what we’re building today will be there tomorrow.”
Durish frequently uses a deck party as an example. Whether you are hosting it or someone you sold your house to, it’s still your responsibility to ensure that the build meets all legal requirements, or face possible civil action.
“That’s why we have qualified professionals,” he said, encouraging anyone with questions to drop by their local building department. “We’re an enforcement body, but we’re also there to serve and protect the public.”
NOTES: Those who suspect their home has been built illegally can contact Tarion at 1-800-7866497 or email enforcement@tarion.com .… Call 1-877-982-7466 or visit www.tarion.com for more information.