A Hawkesbury-area builder has been fined more than $30,000 after being found guilty on two counts of illegal building activity. The builder was fined $12,500 for each count, plus a victim's surcharge.The builder was found guilty of failing to register with Tarion as a builder and failing to register a home he built with the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act.
Tarion protects the rights of new homebuyers by regulating the home building industry and guaranteeing the warranty protection that new homebuilders must provide under the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act.
Every builder or vendor of a new home sold in Ontario must register with Tarion in order to build homes, and must enrol every new home with Tarion before construction begins.
Tarion investigators work with municipalities and building officials in Ontario to find and prosecute offenders. Under the act, the courts can impose fines of up to $100,000. In addition, convicted offenders may be imprisoned for up to one year, placed on probation and/or required to pay Tarion any money owed.
Illegal building can be anonymously reported by calling Tarion toll-free at 1-800-786-6497, or by sending an e-mail to enforcement@tarion.com . New homebuyers are encouraged to visit the "Find a Builder" section of Tarion's website (www.tarion.com ) to confirm that their builder is registered to build in Ontario.
