How To Maximize Your Tarion Coverage

We at Lindvest work closely with Tarion to ensure that our homes exceed Ontario’s building code standards and that our buyers enjoy the peace of mind that comes with it.

Tarion offers a warranty to protect homebuyers from deficiencies that might affect the quality of their new home. Their coverage begins before you move in — with deposit protection — and there are three different levels of coverage for the first year, two years, and seven years after you move in. You can see the details of what is covered at their website.

But navigating the new home warranty process can be overwhelming, especially in a stressful situation, and not all homeowners understand when it may be necessary to contact Tarion or the role they play. So below, we’ve laid out a few tips to ensure you get the most out of your coverage on the off-chance you need it.

Document Everything

Ensure upgrades or customizations to your new home are documented in your purchase agreement and that the builder has signed off on them. If anything has been improperly or mistakenly substituted, Tarion may rely on these records in the claim process.

Deal With The Builder First

Most issues with your new home can be remedied with us directly. As per the Tarion website, “(Your builder) should be the first place you go to for warranty matters. Tarion’s role is to backstop your warranty, and you can ask us to intervene at specific points in the warranty process if items are not being resolved by your builder.”

There are of course some exceptions, particularly for issues related to deposit coverage for homes that are delivered late (or not at all), and builders going out of business.

A PDI Form is Not the Same as a Claim

Lindvest homebuyers all participate in a pre-delivery inspection (PDI) before they officially take possession of their home. This is the first opportunity to document anything that the builder needs to correct.

However, filling out the PDI form is not the same as making a claim. While the builder is often able to remedy most concerns noted in the PDI form, there may be cases where they are unable to. Tarion advises new owners to report any unresolved PDI items at the time of occupancy on their first warranty claim form.

Sign Up for MyHome to Avoid Missing Deadlines

There are six forms that you have the option to fill out to initiate a claim: one pertains to delayed closings, three pertain to your first year coverage (initial, mid, and year-end), one for your two-year coverage, and one for any issues covered by the seven-year warranty.

We recommend that you sign up for Tarion’s MyHome online account even if you aren’t submitting a claim. This account sends you notifications when the deadlines for these forms are approaching. If you try to make a Tarion claim after the eligible warranty period has elapsed, you won’t be eligible. This way, you get a reminder.

We at Lindvest stand behind the quality of our new builds and will work closely with you to ensure your home is to your liking. Contact our customer care team if you have any questions or concerns, including about Tarion coverage.