Heavy fines to apply to unethical homebuilders under new provincial rules
A new provincial regulation that takes effect Wednesday will allow Ontario’s homebuilding watchdog to levy financial penalties of up to $50,000 per occurrence on unethical and rule-breaking builders.
The money can then be used to compensate negatively affected consumers if the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) determines that is appropriate.
If a licensed building benefits financially from breaking the rules, the authority can impose an additional penalty that would be passed on to consumers, the Star has learned.
The penalties could apply to licensed builders but also unlicensed companies.
In recent months, the homebuilding watchdog has stepped up its regulatory efforts. In what’s believed to be the first decision of its kind, the HCRA moved to take away the license of Adi Developments last fall. It said the company behaved unethically after it told buyers in its
A new provincial regulation that takes effect Wednesday will allow Ontario’s homebuilding watchdog to levy financial penalties of up to $50,000 per occurrence on unethical and rule-breaking builders.
The money can then be used to compensate negatively affected consumers if the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) determines that is appropriate.
If a licensed building benefits financially from breaking the rules, the authority can impose an additional penalty that would be passed on to consumers, the Star has learned.
The penalties could apply to licensed builders but also unlicensed companies.
In recent months, the homebuilding watchdog has stepped up its regulatory efforts. In what’s believed to be the first decision of its kind, the HCRA moved to take away the license of Adi Developments last fall. It said the company behaved unethically after it told buyers in its