Every new condo in Ontario comes with Tarion warranty coverage. Here is a plain-English breakdown of what is covered, for how long, and how to use it.
By Karan Dhulla · 2026-06-10 · Buyer Guide · 5 min read
<h2>What Tarion Is</h2>
<p>Tarion is the organization that administers the statutory new home warranty in Ontario. Every new residential unit built by a licenced builder must be enrolled with Tarion, and every new home buyer receives the protections that come with that enrolment automatically. You do not need to do anything extra to activate it.</p>
<h2>The Coverage Periods</h2>
<p>Tarion warranty coverage runs on three periods from the date of possession:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>One-year warranty:</strong> Covers defects in workmanship and materials, violations of the Ontario Building Code, and water penetration into the building envelope.</li>
<li><strong>Two-year warranty:</strong> Covers water penetration through the basement or foundation, defects in the electrical, plumbing, or heating delivery systems, and violations of the Building Code affecting health and safety.</li>
<li><strong>Seven-year warranty:</strong> Covers major structural defects — defects in load-bearing elements of the building that pose a danger to the occupants or would cause the building to be unfit for occupancy.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Deposit Protection</h2>
<p>Tarion also protects your deposit if the builder fails to complete the home or the purchase agreement is cancelled for reasons beyond your control. The protection limits are set annually; confirm the current limits at tarion.com.</p>
<h2>The Pre-Delivery Inspection</h2>
<p>Before you take possession, you do a pre-delivery inspection with the builder. Document everything you find in writing — this list is your formal record of any deficiencies that the builder is obligated to repair. Do not skip the PDI or sign a blank PDI form.</p>
<h2>How to Make a Warranty Claim</h2>
<p>Claims under the one-year warranty are submitted through the Tarion MyHome portal or by mail within the statutory claim period. Tarion has specific submission windows; missing them can forfeit your right to a claim. Read the homeowner information package Tarion provides at possession and follow the dates carefully.</p>
<h2>Common Elements in a Condo</h2>
<p>In a condo, the warranty on the common elements (lobby, amenities, hallways, roof) is held by the condominium corporation, not individual unit owners. The corporation has its own Tarion process for common element warranty claims. This is separate from your unit-level warranty.</p>
Sales by Condo Circle — +1-289-400-0110 — Info@condocircle.ca. We do not represent the builder. Renderings are artist's concept. E.&O.E.