Ontario strengthening protection for home buyers

Ministry of Consumer Services
News Release

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Ontario is taking steps to help home buyers make informed choices and protect their investment when buying a home.

This fall, as part of a broader consumer protection initiative, the province will consult with home inspector associations, consumers, representatives from the real estate sector and other industry stakeholders on mandatory minimum qualifications for home inspectors.

Currently, anyone can offer home inspection services in Ontario, but only registered members of the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors can call themselves a registered home inspector. The province will work with industry partners to explore minimum qualifications that would aim to:
• Increase transparency of the profession
• Ensure a minimum standard of training
• Improve consistency in home inspections
• Enhance consumer protection.

Protecting Ontario consumers is part of the McGuinty government’s commitment to educate and protect Ontario families by ensuring a fair and safe marketplace.

QUOTES

“When you are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a home for you and your family, you want to know you’ve made a sound decision guided by a qualified and reliable home inspector. Today’s announcement is one of several we plan this fall to give Ontario consumers stronger rights and more choices.”
— Margarett Best, Minister of Consumer Services

“Raising the standards for home inspectors will help all home buyers as well as those selling their houses by creating a more level playing field where greater transparency helps inform one of the most important purchases of an individual's life.”
— David Orazietti, MPP, Sault Ste. Marie

“This has been a long time coming. BC and Alberta are already on it. Now it’s Ontario’s turn. And I want to see the rest of Canada get behind this and push for higher standards. Homeowners should get what they pay for – a home inspection that protects their investment.”
— Mike Holmes, host of "Holmes on Homes"

QUICK FACTS

• The cost of a home inspection in Ontario ranges from $350 to $600.
• An inspection will typically report on the condition of the roof, structure, foundation, drainage, heating, cooling, plumbing, insulation, walls, doors and electrical system.

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