Tarion claim forms post-May 2024 CSS reform — 40-day Initial, new Mid-Year, Year-End (with permanent 10-day grace), Second-Year, MSD

Claim: Tarion's Customer Service Standard (CSS) was reformed effective May 1, 2024. Current homeowner warranty forms:

Form When to file Covers
Initial Submission (formerly 30-Day; now 40-day window) Within first 40 days after possession Anything from possession not resolved by the builder
Mid-Year Submission (new May 2024) Around 6 months Issues arising between possession and year-end
Year-End Form Last 30 days of year 1 (with permanent 10-day grace) Anything still unresolved or newly discovered in year 1
Second-Year Form Any time in year 2 Year-2 covered items
Major Structural Defect Form Any time before the end of year 7 MSDs only

Source: https://www.tarion.com/plans-reports; Tarion Registrar Bulletin 01.

Confidence: Verified.

Why these changes happened: The 2019 Auditor General found Tarion had refused assistance on ~9,700 requests between 2014-2018 because homeowners missed restrictive deadlines (1,300 by a single day). The 2024 CSS reforms — 40-day Initial, 6-month Mid-Year, permanent 10-day grace at year-end — were Tarion's direct response. See Tarion 2019 Auditor General Special Audit (Bonnie Lysyk) — 65% of conciliations found builder at fault, 9,700 dismissed for missed deadlines (1,300 by 1 day), OHBA "disproportionate influence".

The #1 mistake buyers still make: missing deadlines. Even with the reforms, the timing rules are strict. Build a calendar reminder around possession +40 days, +6 months, year-end -30 days, and year-2 anniversary.

Companion: the form is filed in writing to both Tarion (via MyHome portal) and the builder. The submission triggers a 120-day builder repair period — see Tarion conciliation process — 120-day builder repair, $250 homeowner deposit, $1,000/$3,000 chargeable to builder if any item warranted, 10-year OBD record.