Every new home built in Ontario by a registered builder is covered by the Tarion Warranty — a provincially-mandated coverage program that protects Ottawa new-home buyers against defects in construction. Yet most Ottawa homeowners don't fully understand what Tarion covers, what's excluded, the strict claim deadlines, and how to actually enforce coverage. This 2026 guide walks you through Tarion's three coverage tiers, the claim process, common claim categories in Ottawa builds, and the critical deadlines that determine whether your claim succeeds or fails.
Tarion provides three layers of coverage on new Ontario homes: (1) One-Year Warranty — covers all defects in materials and workmanship from the date of possession. This is the broadest coverage period and is when most defects surface (paint, drywall, finishing, hardware, minor fixtures). (2) Two-Year Warranty — covers water penetration through the building envelope, defects in electrical/plumbing/heating delivery systems, exterior cladding failures, violations of the Ontario Building Code that a...
Common exclusions: damage from normal wear and tear, damage from improper homeowner maintenance, damage from improvements made by homeowner (or unregistered contractors), normal seasonal movement of building materials (caulking, drywall cracks, nail pops at corners), damage from acts of God (floods, lightning, severe weather), pests and rodents, landscaping installed after possession, third-party-installed items (alarm systems, water softeners, satellite dishes), and any defect the homeowner cau...
Year-1 claims: must be filed before the 30-day cut-off following the one-year anniversary of possession (i.e., within the first 13 months). Tarion-recommended filing windows: 30-day form (within first 30 days of possession for immediate-noticed items) and Year-End form (filed between 11 and 13 months from possession). Year-2 claims: must be filed before the 30-day cut-off following the second anniversary (within months 13–25). Year-7 (MSD) claims: filed any time within 6 years from possession + ...
Step 1: Notify your builder in writing of the defect, with photos and dated description. Many issues get resolved at builder level. Step 2: If builder doesn't repair within reasonable time (typically 30 days), file a formal claim through Tarion's online MyHome portal. Step 3: Tarion assigns a conciliation date — a Tarion inspector visits to evaluate. You and the builder both attend. Step 4: Tarion issues a Conciliation Decision identifying which items are warrantable. Step 5: Builder is ordered ...
Year-1: drywall cracks (corner cracks excluded as normal movement; large cracks covered), paint defects, trim and finishing, door/window adjustment, hardware failures, minor leaks (under sinks, around windows), HVAC commissioning issues, appliance defects (if builder-supplied). Year-2: ice damming and water penetration (very common in Ottawa given freeze-thaw cycles — Tarion covers if proven envelope defect, not insulation oversight), basement water leaks, exterior cladding failures (loose sidin...
Three overlapping coverage systems: Tarion (statutory, applies only to new homes by Ontario-registered builders), Builder's own extended warranty (some builders offer extended coverage beyond Tarion — typically marketing-driven and worth less than they appear), and manufacturer warranties on materials and appliances (independent of Tarion, pursued directly with manufacturer). Tarion takes priority on covered items; builder workmanship warranty extends Tarion for items that fall outside Tarion's ...
Anyone purchasing a new home (freehold or condo) built by an Ontario-registered builder. Custom homes built directly by an owner are not Tarion-covered. Renovations and additions are not covered by Tarion — only new home construction qualifies. Verify your builder's Tarion registration at tarion.com builder directory.
Year-1 issues: within first 13 months from possession (file Year-End form between months 11 and 13). Year-2 issues: between months 13 and 25 from possession. Year-7 MSD: within 6 years from possession + 30 days. Missed deadlines result in automatic denial regardless of defect severity. File even for minor issues — don't risk missing the deadline.
Yes if caused by a defect in the building envelope (foundation, waterproofing membrane, drainage, weeping tile) — covered under the 2-year warranty for water penetration. Not covered: leaks from homeowner-installed fixtures, leaks from acts of God, leaks resulting from delayed maintenance. Ottawa's heavy spring runoff makes basement leaks one of the most common Tarion claim categories.
File a formal claim through Tarion's MyHome portal. Tarion conciliates between you and the builder, issues a binding decision, and orders repairs. If builder still refuses, Tarion arranges repair through its warranty insurance fund and pursues the builder directly. You're protected even if the builder goes out of business.
Yes — Tarion coverage transfers to subsequent owners automatically for the remaining coverage period. The new owner can file claims for any remaining year-1, year-2, or year-7 issues. Notify Tarion of the ownership change to ensure correspondence reaches the right party.