What goes on the Tarion Initial Form after moving into a Barrhaven home?

The Initial Form is the first of Tarion's warranty forms after you move in. Tarion says you can begin adding items 1 day after your date of possession, and the form is submitted automatically on day 41.

It is a warranty form, so it is for items covered by Tarion's warranty. Tarion describes the one-year warranty as including items such as defects in work and material and unauthorized substitutions, and the two-year warranty as including items such as water penetration, heating and electrical. Tarion also says that before you make a claim, it is important that you notify your builder.

Do not confuse it with the PDI Form. The PDI Form is the builder's record of the walk-through before you get the keys, listing items that are incomplete, damaged, missing, inaccessible or not operating properly. Tarion says the PDI Form does not represent a request for warranty service. The Initial Form and the forms after it are how warranty items are reported.

After day 41 the timeline continues:

• Mid-Year Form: from day 42, submitted automatically on day 183.
• Year-End Form: from day 183, submitted automatically on day 365, with a 10-day grace period; Tarion calls it your final opportunity to report items covered by the one-year warranty.
• Second-Year Form: any time during the second year.
• Major Structural Defect Form: after the second year, no later than seven years from possession.

If your Barrhaven home was bought from another homeowner and is under 7 years old, Tarion says you may still be eligible for warranty coverage.

If you want help listing items before a deadline, Tarion places no restriction on who you bring to the PDI or send as your designate, and a home inspector you hire can do a walk-through before a form is due; that is a private service, not a Tarion requirement.

Note the day-41 date for your possession now, and tell your builder about an item before you put it on the form.