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NEW LICENSING FOR LEAKY CONDO
REPAIRS
(November 2000)
by Del Elgersma
In 1999 the B.C. government implemented the Homeowner Protection Act,
creating the Homeowner Protection Office, and requiring compulsory
licensing for builders and mandatory warranty coverage on new homes
(click here to see our
article about the Homeowner
Protection Act).
Under new regulations that came into force on October 1, 2000,
repair contractors who arrange, manage or perform building envelope
repairs (mainly leaky condo repairs) must be licensed by the
Homeowner Protection Office and must offer a warranty on the
repairs from a third-party insurance company. A municipality
will not issue a building permit for the repair job unless the
contractor proves that it is licensed and that the proposed repairs
are covered by a third-party warranty. (In areas where a building
permit is not required the contractor must still meet these requirements).
The minimum warranty coverage is two years on labour and materials.
If 60% or more of any wall is replaced, an additional 5-year
warranty on water penetration is required.
These new regulations do not apply to buildings
with less than three dwelling units, rental
buildings, hotels and motels, dormitories,
care facilities, buildings covered by warranty
insurance, and buildings with repair costs
less than the greater of $10,000 or $2,000
per unit in the building. As well, the regulations
do not apply to repairs carried out by the
original builder at no charge to the owners
or when there is a cost-sharing agreement
between the builder and the owners.
If you have any questions about the licensing and warranty
requirements under the Homeowner Protection Act, please call
us.
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