What does Tarion's second-year warranty cover on an Ottawa new build?

Tarion describes its two-year warranty as including items such as water penetration, heating and electrical. It is the middle of three warranty periods: Tarion's warranty is "divided into three different time periods: 1, 2 and 7 years."

How the three compare, in Tarion's words:

• One year: includes items such as defects in work and material and unauthorized substitutions.
• Two years: includes items such as water penetration, heating and electrical.
• Seven years: covers major structural defects, from the date you take possession to the seventh anniversary.

For the second year, Tarion's form is the Second-Year Form, which can be submitted any time during the second year. Before that, the Initial Form (submitted automatically on day 41), the Mid-Year Form (day 183) and the Year-End Form (day 365, with a 10-day grace period) cover the first year; Tarion calls the Year-End Form your final opportunity to report items covered by the one-year warranty. After year two, the Major Structural Defect Form runs to seven years from possession.

Tarion also says it is important to notify your builder before you make a claim. If you bought the home from another homeowner and it is under 7 years old, Tarion says you may still be eligible for warranty coverage.

Whether a particular item counts under the two-year warranty is Tarion's decision, so check its coverage page or ask Tarion directly. A home inspection is not a Tarion requirement at any stage; if you want someone to help list items before a form is due, a home inspector you hire is one option.

Mark the end of your second year of possession now, so a two-year item is on the Second-Year Form before that window closes.