Tarion introduces new registration requirements for new home builders

TORONTO, Sept. 1, 2015 /CNW/ - As of September 1, 2015, Tarion will begin phasing in new education criteria that all new builders will need to meet as a condition of their registration in Ontario. The new requirements will enhance Tarion's existing qualification standards for builders.

"Tarion ensures that new home builders have the necessary technical and financial competence before they can build new homes. Their skills are essential as they have significant impact on our lives, our environment and our economy as a whole. The new education requirements will hold home builders to a higher standard, and provide more consumer protection to new home buyers while instilling confidence in the industry," said Howard Bogach, President and CEO of Tarion.

The new educational requirements to the registration process will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will commence September 1, 2015. New builders proposing to build under Ontario Building Code (OBC) Part 9 (residential freehold and low-rise condominium construction), will be required to demonstrate specific educational competencies in addition to Tarion's existing registration requirements. The competencies must be achieved by their annual renewal date. The second phase will commence September 1, 2016.  After that date, achieving the core competencies will be a pre-requisite for registration.

These new requirements do not apply to existing registrants. They also do not apply to new applicants looking to build according to part 3 of the OBC (residential high-rise condominium construction), as they are subject to separate registration criteria.

According to the Honourable David Orazietti, Minister of Government and Consumer Services, "The new home construction industry is an important part of Ontario's economy. Raising the bar for qualification in this industry will positively impact Ontarians and demonstrate that we have a strong, professional and skilled building industry in this province."

The new educational requirements are based on the Canadian Home Builder's Association National Education Benchmarks for residential construction and feedback from extensive consultations with stakeholders. The courses will be offered by third party education providers. The core competencies must be held by at least one of, or shared among, the Principals, Officers or Directors (PDO) of the company.  The competencies are:

1. Business Planning and Management
2. Financial Planning and Management
3. Project Management and Supervision
4. Legal Issues in Housing
5. Building Codes in Ontario
6. Construction Technology
7. Customer Service and Tarion Requirements

"The new requirements will help ensure a level of knowledge that goes beyond standard financial and technical abilities and will ultimately lead to more professionalism in the industry, a better home buyer experience and fewer warranty claims," added Mr. Bogach.

Updated information on these new requirements is available at Tarion.com.

About Tarion

Tarion is a private, not-for-profit corporation that protects the rights of new home buyers and regulates new home builders. Tarion administers the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act, which outlines the warranty protection that Ontario's new home buyers are entitled to. Tarion also assists in resolving warranty claims and backstops the statutory warranty obligations of builders. 

SOURCE Tarion Warranty Corporation

Nicole Lippa-Gasparro, Manager, Stakeholder Relations at [phone], [email protected]