Toronto – A complaint has led to a man being convicted of building and selling a home without being registered under the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act. Joseph Black was fined $6,250 by the Ontario Court of Justice in connection to a newly built home located in the Simcoe County community of Tiny Township.
Under the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act, new home builders and vendors must be registered with Tarion and enroll their homes in the new home warranty program. Most new homes are entitled to warranty coverage if they have been unoccupied prior to sale and are less than seven years old.
In response to the complaint, Tarion’s investigation revealed that Joseph Black was not registered as a vendor/builder of new homes and the home at 287 Dorion Road, Tiny Township, had not been enrolled in the province’s warranty program.
On August 6, 2019, Tarion charged Mr. Black under the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act with not being registered as a vendor/builder and failing to enrol a new home. On January 16, 2020, he pleaded guilty to the charges at a Penetanguishene court. The presiding Justice of the Peace, Ann Forfar, accepted the guilty plea and levied a fine of $6,250 plus a 12-month probation order. Under the probation order, Mr. Black is prohibited from committing the same offence, a similar offence, or any offence that is punishable by imprisonment. Also, he must appear before the court when required and notify the court of any change of address.
The Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act protects the rights of home buyers. Builders or vendors who violate the Act can be prosecuted.
If consumers want to report a concern with their builder, they can call 1-877-982-7466, or send an email to investigations@tarion.com.
For more information, please email: media.inquiries@tarion.com