Construction LawLawyer referralNew homes and renovations

Appeal of a Tarion warranty decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal

Appealing a Tarion warranty decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal, including a hearing if needed.

Tarion warranty claims must be submitted on its forms within set periods after possession, and appeal deadlines are short; check your dates early. Ontario Done by an Ontario lawyer, by referral

What is included

  • Reviews your purchase agreement, warranty documents or renovation contract
  • Prepares Tarion warranty forms and supporting evidence
  • Represents you on an appeal to the Licence Appeal Tribunal
  • Makes a demand or claim against a contractor for defective or incomplete work
  • Advises on lien and holdback rules affecting your property

What is not included

  • Reports from engineers, schedulers or quantity surveyors, and other disbursements
  • Court, adjudication or arbitration filing fees
  • Appeals unless added to the retainer
  • Project management or site inspections

Who this service is for

  • Buyers of new homes with defects
  • Homeowners with a renovation gone wrong
  • Owners whose Tarion claim was refused

Information to have ready

  1. 1Your purchase agreement or renovation contract
  2. 2Tarion forms and decisions, if any
  3. 3Photos, inspection reports and repair quotes
  4. 4Payment records and correspondence with the builder or contractor

How a referral works

  1. 1Tell us in a few words what the matter is about, and who else is involved, so we can check for a conflict of interest.
  2. 2We recommend an Ontario lawyer for your matter, and at least one other you could choose instead.
  3. 3The lawyer runs their own conflict check, confirms the scope and quotes the fee, normally in a written retainer agreement.
  4. 4You pay the lawyer's fee to the lawyer. Any referral fee comes out of it, is disclosed to you in writing, and never increases what you pay.

NEO Legal Services Professional Corporation is a licensed paralegal firm, not a law firm. Every step of a referral, and your rights

Frequently asked questions

What does the lawyer charge?

A typical Ontario fee for this service is $3,000–$9,000, plus HST. The lawyer quotes the actual fee before any work starts. You pay the lawyer directly; the referral itself costs you nothing.

What does the new home warranty cover?

New homes in Ontario come with statutory warranties, including one-year, two-year and seven-year coverage for different kinds of defects, subject to exclusions.

Can a renovation dispute go to Small Claims Court?

If the amount is $50,000 or less, Small Claims Court may be an option, and a licensed paralegal can represent you there. Ask NEO whether your claim fits.

General information only, not legal advice. NEO Legal Services Professional Corporation is a licensed paralegal firm regulated by the Law Society of Ontario.

Important limitations

  • No outcome can be guaranteed
  • Statutory and contract deadlines keep running during a referral
  • The lawyer confirms the scope, fee and steps in a written retainer before starting
Law Society of Ontario — Barreau de l'Ontario
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