Does Tarion cover a condo conversion unit in Ottawa?

Partly. Tarion says that for condo conversions, "pre-existing elements are not covered by the one-year warranty." Ontario.ca describes a residential condominium conversion project as existing non-residential buildings that are converted to condominiums, and says pre-existing elements of those projects are not covered by some of the 1-year warranties. It also notes that coverage may vary by the type of home, and that homes built on existing footings or foundations may not be covered.

For anything that is covered, Tarion's warranty runs in three periods: 1, 2 and 7 years. Tarion describes the one-year warranty as including items such as defects in work and material and unauthorized substitutions, the two-year warranty as including items such as water penetration, heating and electrical, and the seven-year warranty as covering major structural defects from the date of possession to the seventh anniversary.

Which parts of a particular conversion unit fall inside or outside those periods is not something a walk-through can settle. A few points help:

• Ask Tarion, and your lawyer, which elements of the unit are new and which are pre-existing for warranty purposes.
• If you are buying from another owner, Tarion says a home under 7 years old may still be eligible for warranty coverage.
• Tarion asks you to notify your builder before you make a claim.

A home inspection is a separate question. Ontario.ca's list of what an inspector will typically examine includes common areas in a condominium, and the federal Office of Consumer Affairs says a report covers only the areas the inspector can see or has access to. Neither tells you what Tarion covers.

Before you rely on any warranty for a conversion unit in Ottawa, put the question of new versus pre-existing elements to Tarion and to your lawyer in writing.