{"id":925,"slug":"tarion-renovation-coverage-boundary-no-renovations","title":"Tarion coverage boundary — covers new homes, contract homes, RCCPs; does NOT cover renovations to existing homes or owner-built homes","kind":"reference","scope":"business","status":"current","audiences":["kevin","smb-owner","candid-team","client-prospect"],"topics":["gc-vertical","tarion-warranty"],"reference_body":"**Claim:** What Tarion covers:\n\n- **Newly constructed homes** by HCRA-licensed builders.\n- **Contract homes** — owner-land, contracted to a licensed builder; same 1-2-7 structure plus $40K financial-loss coverage ([[tarion-deposit-protection-freehold-and-contract-homes]]).\n- **Custom cottages and seasonal homes** meeting the OBC for occupancy and built by a licensed builder.\n- **Residential Condominium Conversion Projects (RCCPs)** post-Jan 1, 2018 — with pre-existing elements excluded from year-1 workmanship ([[tarion-condo-conversion-rccp-pre-existing-excluded]]).\n\nWhat Tarion does **NOT** cover:\n\n- **Renovations to existing homes** — full stop. Even substantial renovations are outside the ONHWPA.\n- **Owner-built homes** intended for personal occupation. The owner-built exemption has long been criticized by Cunningham and CPBH as a loophole.\n- **Substantial renovations sold as \"new\"** — case-by-case. Cohen LLP notes Tarion warranty cannot be bought for \"houses re-built upon existing foundations (substantial renovation)\" but Tarion has investigated cases where sellers misrepresented status. Whether the renovator meets the statutory definition of \"builder\" is fact-dependent (Miller Thomson analysis turns on degree of control).\n\n**Sources:**\n- Cohen LLP commentary on substantial-renovation boundary.\n- Miller Thomson analysis of \"builder\" definition.\n- Tarion `ismyhomecovered@tarion.com` (canonical edge-case channel).\n\n**Confidence:** Verified.\n\n**For renovation client marketing:** Be **explicit** that renovations are not Tarion-covered. Don't imply otherwise. Buyers comparing \"new build vs. major reno\" will appreciate the honesty — and your sales team won't have to walk back implied promises later.\n\n**Companion:** [[renomark-tarion-alternative-renovation-warranty]] covers the practical alternative — RenoMark + in-house workmanship warranty.","rationale_body":null,"metadata":null,"links":{"outgoing":[{"slug":"renomark-tarion-alternative-renovation-warranty","title":"RenoMark certification — CHBA private-sector renovation program; minimum 2-year written workmanship warranty, liability insurance, written contract, code of conduct","kind":"reference","scope":"business","link_type":"relates-to"},{"slug":"tarion-condo-conversion-rccp-pre-existing-excluded","title":"Residential Condominium Conversion Projects (RCCPs) — Tarion covers post-2018 conversions but pre-existing elements (façade, foundation) excluded from year-1 workmanship","kind":"reference","scope":"business","link_type":"relates-to"}],"incoming":[{"slug":"research-brief-tarion-ontario-may-2026","title":"Research brief: Tarion Warranty Corporation — definitive reference (May 2026)","kind":"reference","scope":"business","link_type":"relates-to"}]},"created_at":"2026-05-24T14:19:39.550Z","updated_at":"2026-05-24T14:19:39.550Z"}