Click through the links below to view each step:
Duties as a Licensee
All licensees are obligated to conduct business in accordance with the requirements of the NHCLA and its regulations, conduct themselves with honesty and integrity, with competence and demonstrate financial responsibility. Every licensee must take all reasonable precautions to ensure that they and their employees and agents comply with the NHCLA, the regulations, and orders made by the statutory director under NHCLA.
Licence Display Requirements
A licence certificate is an important document. Under section 4 of O. Reg. 626/20, builders and vendors are required to prominently display their licence:
- At their principal place of business (office address as identified in the application)
- On their website, if any
- At any premises where business is conducted with the public
Please note that licence certificates will only be provided electronically in PDF format. Those unable to access a licence certificate online and requiring an accommodation should contact the HCRA Licensing and Customer Service Department at info@hcraontario.ca. An electronic copy of the licence certificate can also be accessed through the Builder Portal account and is available for download.
Notice of Changes
The NHCLA, sections 49 to 52, require all licensees to notify the Registrar of changes to address for service, certain changes in control and in share ownership and of material changes.
To submit updated information log into the Builder Portalaccount and submit a Change Request electronically. Those unable to submit the updated information through the Builder Portal Change Request can email a completed Change Request Form to info@hcraontario.ca.
Builder Portal
- Notice of Change of Address
Section 49 of the NHCLA provides that licensees must notify the Registrar within 5 days of a change in address. This is the address identified for purposes of service, that is, for receiving communications from the HCRA. - Notice of Change of Control
Section 50 of the NHCLA, requires that licensees notify the Registrar promptly if any of the following events occur:- A person ceases to have a controlling interest in a licensee
- A person acquires a controlling interest in the licensee
- Notice of Issue or Transfer of Shares
Section 51 of the NHCLA requires that licensees notify the Registrar within 30 days if any of the following changes occur:- A person acquires ownership of 10% or more of the total number of all shares of the corporation
- An increase in shares owned by a person who already owned at least 10% of the total number of all shares in the corporation
- Notice of Material Changes
Section 52 of the NHCLA requires that licensees promptly notify the Registrar of prescribed material changes. Section 8 of O. Reg. 631/20 specifies that a material change is a change to information provided as part of an application for a licence or for renewal of a licence, including a change to information regarding the business, operations, personnel, assets, liabilities or affairs of the licensee or applicant.
Enrol New Homes with Tarion
Before you can build or sell a new home you must apply to Tarion and receive their authorization. The authorization to offer to sell / agree to sell a home is called a “Qualification for Enrolment” (QFE) Confirmation. The authorization to commence construction of a home is called an “Enrolment Confirmation”. For more information about your obligations regarding Tarion, please visit Tarion's website .
Visit Tarion for detailed information or to begin the enrolment process.
Tarion will notify the HCRA of all new homes that have successfully qualified for enrolment or been enrolled with Tarion as well as any cancellations, suspensions or revocations of qualification for enrolment or revocations of enrolment.
HCRA Regulatory Oversight Fee
The HCRA Per Unit Oversight Fee is currently collected by Tarion at the time of enrolment and as of May 1, 2023, will be directly collected by the HCRA. There are no changes to the amount of the fee ($145 per enrolled unit + HST). This is the same fee that has been in place since the HCRA launched on February 1, 2021.
Guide to Good Conduct for Home Builders and Vendors
The HCRA’s role is to strengthen consumer protection for Ontario’s new home buyers by ensuring that those responsible for the construction and sale of new homes are licensed and are meeting the high standards set out in the NHCLA.
The HCRA has developed A Guide to Good Conduct for Home Builders and Vendors. The purpose of the guide is to help applicants for a licence, and current licensees, understand the HCRA’s approach to assessing the good conduct expected of all new home builders and vendors. Applicants for licence must be able to show that they can reasonably be expected to act in accordance with the law and with honesty and integrity. The guide reviews those expectations and provides examples of potential concerns that may result in the need for further assessment by the HCRA. The assessment will determine if the applicant for a licence or renewal of a licence can reasonably be expected to perform the activities of a home builder or vendor in accordance with the law and with integrity and honesty.
Code of Ethics
Effective July 1, 2021, the Government of Ontario implemented a Code of Ethics which sets out clear ethical standards that Ontario’s licensed home builders and vendors must meet.
Before granting a licence, the Registrar must believe the applicant can reasonably be expected to comply with the law and act with honesty and integrity, which would include compliance with the Code of Ethics. Once the Code of Ethics comes into force, the Registrar will consider the Code of Ethics regarding a licensee’s ongoing entitlement to a licence. Failure to comply with the Code may result in the conduct being referred to the HCRA Discipline Committee.
The Guide to Good Conduct will be amended once the Government of Ontario has passed a regulation to create the Code of Ethics.
Ontario Builder Directory
The Ontario Builder Directory (OBD) is a publicly accessible online registry that lists the names and information of all builders and vendors, their current licence status, and the history of any regulatory or enforcement activity. The OBD helps new home buyers confirm they are dealing with a licensed builder or vendor and make informed decisions when selecting a builder.