The Tarion Warranty Explained
Buying a brand-new home in Ontario? It comes with a warranty backed by Tarion — and on your Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) day, the builder's team hands you the keys and your warranty starts. Most buyers don't fully understand what they're covered for, which forms to file, or the deadlines — and miss out as a result.
This guide explains the Tarion warranty in simple terms: what's included, the 1-year, 2-year and 7-year coverage, your deposit and delayed-closing protection, exactly what a PDI is, the forms you submit and when, and where to register. Bookmark it or share it with anyone buying a builder home.
On this page
- What is the Tarion warranty?
- What's included — your 5 core protections
- Deposit & delayed-closing limits (the actual numbers)
- The warranty timeline at a glance
- What is a PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection)?
- The warranty forms you submit — and when
- How & where to register
- How to contact Tarion
- What Tarion does NOT cover
- FAQs
What is the Tarion warranty?
Tarion administers Ontario's mandatory new home warranty. Every new home built by a licensed builder is covered — the builder is licensed and regulated by the HCRA (Home Construction Regulatory Authority), and the warranty itself is backed by Tarion. It applies to new freehold homes, condominium units, and condo common elements.
The warranty does three big things: it protects your deposit, it compensates you for certain closing/occupancy delays, and it warranties the home itself for up to 7 years after you take possession.
What's included — your 5 core protections
| Protection | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Deposit protection | Your deposit back (up to program limits) if the builder goes under or there is a valid cancellation. |
| Delayed closing / occupancy | Compensation if the builder misses a firm closing or occupancy date. |
| 1-year warranty | Workmanship & materials, and compliance with the Ontario Building Code. |
| 2-year warranty | Water penetration, electrical / plumbing / heating systems, exterior cladding, and Building-Code health/safety items. |
| 7-year warranty | Major structural defects (MSDs). |
Deposit & delayed-closing limits (the actual numbers)
| Coverage | Limit |
|---|---|
| Freehold deposit (price $600k or less) | Up to $60,000 |
| Freehold deposit (price over $600k) | 10% of the price, to a maximum of $100,000 |
| Condominium deposit | Held in trust under the Condominium Act, with a Tarion backstop up to $20,000 per unit |
| Delayed closing / occupancy | Up to $7,500 (incl. $150/day for living expenses) |
| Max warranty — home/unit | Up to $300,000 |
| Max warranty — condo common elements | $50,000 × number of units (max $2.5M) |
The warranty timeline at a glance
Your coverage clock starts the day you take possession at your PDI:
PossessionKeys handed over, warranty begins
What is a PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection)?
The Pre-Delivery Inspection is your walkthrough of the finished home with the builder, just before you take possession. It's one of the most important days in the whole process, because:
- The builder's team hands over the keys and your warranty documentation on PDI day — this is when your coverage officially begins.
- You record the home's condition and list every deficiency (scratches, missing items, things that don't work) on the PDI form.
- Anything you note creates a clear record for your warranty claims — so don't rush it.
The warranty forms you submit — and when
You report warranty issues to Tarion through your free online MyHome account, using specific forms at specific times:
| Form | When you submit it | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| 30-Day Form | First 30 days after possession | List deficiencies found in your first month. |
| Year-End Form | Last 30 days of Year 1 (days 335–365) | List any outstanding 1-year warranty items. |
| Second-Year Form | Anytime during Year 2 | Report 2-year warranty items (water, systems, cladding). |
| Major Structural Defect Form | Years 3 through 7 | Report a major structural defect (MSD). |
- Give the builder a chance to repair within the warranty repair period.
- If items aren't resolved, request a Tarion conciliation — Tarion assesses what's warranted.
- Tarion can order the builder to fix it, or step in if the builder won't.
How & where to register
Your builder enrols the home with Tarion, and you activate your own coverage online:
- Create a free MyHome account at tarion.com — this is where you submit every form and track your claims.
- Confirm the home is enrolled and you have your enrolment / certificate details (the enrolment fee is usually a closing cost).
- Freehold buyers (from April 1, 2026): give Tarion notice of your purchase within 45 days of signing to secure full deposit coverage.
Visit Tarion.com to register & learn more →
How to contact Tarion
If you need to reach Tarion directly — to ask a question, submit documents, or follow up on a claim — here is how:
| Need | How to reach Tarion |
|---|---|
| Submit documents / forms | Use your MyHome account at tarion.com (the fastest, official way) |
| Email customer service | customerservice@tarion.com |
| Contact page / web form | tarion.com/contact |
What Tarion does NOT cover
- Normal wear and tear, and damage from your own work or neglect.
- Items in a contract you signed off on knowingly, or damage from improper maintenance.
- Secondary/consequential damage beyond program limits, and certain owner-supplied materials.
Buying a builder or pre-construction home and want to get the warranty right? Tej Thakor & Usha Parmar guide buyers through the PDI, the Tarion forms and deadlines, and the whole pre-construction process. Reach out with any questions — or if you're thinking about buying a new build, let's talk before you sign.