no breadcrumbs Ontario Home Builders' Association: Activity Summary

Activity Summary

July 2004

TARION WARRANTY CORPORATION UPDATE

As of September 1, 2004, the maximum warranty coverage provided to all new home owners in Ontario will increase from $100,000 to $150,000. This extended coverage will be available to new home owners who sign an Agreement of Purchase and Sale on or after September 1, 2004. TARION's Board of Directors has approved this warranty coverage increase in order to keep up with inflation over the last number of years, and changes in new home prices in Ontario. This additional warranty coverage will have no impact on the enrolment or registration fees paid by builders to TARION.

A second change involves a limit on the amount payable for warranted damage related to environmentally harmful substances or hazards, deleterious substances, mould or any other fungal or bacterial contamination. For Agreements of Purchase and Sale signed on or after September 1, 2004, new home owners will be provided with coverage of up to $15,000 for warranted damage related to the substances mentioned above.

In October a new Customer Centre featuring a user-friendly walk-in storefront design will open in North York. TARION is also centralizing all of its homeowner claims management, and creating a Builder Relations Department that will work proactively with home builders throughout the province. The new Builder Relations Department will address quality and service issues with builders, and will solicit builder feedback on service delivery issues at Tarion. As a result of centralizing operations, Regional Offices of TARION located in Newmarket, Brampton and Sudbury will close Oct. 1, 2004.

NOMINATIONS TO THE 2004-2005 OHBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The strength of this association is in its membership. OHBA requires a strong Board of Directors to represent the interests of the membership across the province on issues that shape our industry. Please consider nominations for the 2004-2005 OHBA Board of Directors. Nominations should be made to the OHBA office by Tuesday, August 10, 2004.

RESOLUTIONS TO OHBA ANNUAL MEETING

OHBA invites and encourages members and local associations to submit resolutions to the OHBA Annual General Meeting in Muskoka at Deerhurst Resort on Wednesday, September 29, 2004. You have a voice in the policies and priorities of our organization and we request your input. In order to circulate draft resolutions to local associations in advance of the AGM, please submit any resolutions to the OHBA office by Friday, August 20, 2004. A report summarizing action that has been taken on resolutions was distributed to the Board of Directors. For copies, contact OHBA at 1-800-387-0109.

PLANNING REFORM

The provincial government is seeking public and stakeholder input about reforming the Ontario Municipal Board and the land-use planning system. The government is also consulting on the Planning Act and the revised draft Provincial Policy Statement, which sets out the province's overall vision of growth and priorities for land-use. Written responses to the proposed changes must be submitted to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing by August 31, 2004. For more information visit the planning reform website at www.planningreform.ontario.ca. Any comments on the proposed reforms can be forwarded to Mike Collins-Williams at 1-800-387-0109 or mikecw@ohba.ca

OCTOBERFEST HOUSING TOUR

Building on the success of the first ever OHBA housing tour in Niagara, OHBA has announced another tour for Wednesday, October 20th . Discover the allure of Elora, Fergus, Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo. Participants will visit award winning sites and enjoy lunch at the Elora Gorge and dine at Langdon Hall. Your hosts will be Darlene Fraser and Rick Caravaggio. Space will be limited to 55 participants, and based on the success of the Niagara Tour this event will sell out quickly. Please call OHBA at 1-800-387-0109 for registration information.

ENERQUALITY WORKSHOPS

EnerQuality Corporation presents the following workshops for builders and design professionals:

  • Better Houses, Better Bottom Line - (Qualifies to license as R-2000/EnerGuide Builder) - Sept 9-10. (2 Day)
  • Design Evaluator Workshop - (instruct participant with general residential construction knowledge to perform complete evaluation and HOT2000 input) - Fall 2004, Toronto (3 Day)
  • Building Technology Workshop for Realtors (8 RECO credits) - Fall 2004, Toronto (1 Day)
    Call 416-447-0077 to register or for more information.

2004 AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

The first ever Ontario Home Builder of the Year was Monarch Development Corporation in 2003. The prestigious award for 2004 will be announced on September 30th at the Awards of Distinction at Deerhurst Resort in beautiful Muskoka. To book a table at the Awards of Distinction dinner and reception call OHBA at 1-800-387-0109.

2004 ANNUAL OHBA CONFERENCE

Golf, entertainment, information and hospitality.you'll get it all as OHBA returns to beautiful Deerhurst Resort in Muskoka once again this year for the time of your life! The Conference dates are September 28, 29 and 30th. Early bird deadline for registration is September 10th.

REMINDERS / AVAILABLE FROM OHBA

  • Summer OHB Magazine
  • OHBA Conference Registration: September 10th
  • New Edition 'How OHBA Works for You'
  • NEW Corporate Express office products program
  • OHBA Octoberfest Housing Tour: October 20th
  • ESSO 2.5 cent per litre Discount Program

Ontario Home Builders' Association
20 Upjohn Road,
North York, Ontario M3B 2V9
(416) 443-1545
Toll Free: 800-387-0109
Fax: (416) 443-9982
E-mail: info@ohba.ca