ONTARIO REALTORS® COMMEND GOVERNMENT FOR PROTECTING HOME BUYERS

TORONTO, ON – Ontario Realtors are before the Standing Committee on Social Policy today commending the Ontario government for the licensing and regulation of home inspectors in Ontario through Bill 59, Putting Consumers First Act, 2016.

“Licensing home inspectors will protect consumers and their homes from unscrupulous fly-by-night operators,” said Tim Hudak, CEO of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA). “We want to see Bill 59 get passed to protect Ontarians by ensuring that all professionals involved in the home buying process subscribe to high professional standards.”

Representatives from OREA also stressed the importance of including an energy audit in a standardized home inspection. Ontario is currently considering a Home Energy Rating & Disclosure (HER&D) program that would make it mandatory for all home sellers to conduct a home energy audit before they list their home.

“Including an energy audit within a standardized home inspection will better protect consumers and help the province achieve its climate change emission targets quicker,” said Hudak. “Home energy auditors have no minimum education standards, are not required to carry errors and omissions insurance and no disciplinary oversight. Forcing consumers to use the services of an unlicensed energy auditor exposes home sellers to the risk of unqualified operators ripping them off with phony reports – the exact thing the government is trying to eliminate with Bill 59.”

“Instead of placing another demand on home sellers’ time and energy, and forcing even more people through their home, the home energy audit should just be included as part of a standard home inspection,” said Hudak.