Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) has frozen the assets of a former licensee for allegedly building and selling homes without a license.
The agency said in a Tuesday statement that it investigated Albion Building Consultant Inc. in Toronto and found evidence that the company continued to accept substantial payments after its license was revoked.
Albion is now required to hold any funds it received from purchasers in a trust. The HCRA also warned anyone who bought a new home from Albion in the past three years to contact the regulator immediately.
The HCRA is concerned that Albion may have sold homes to unsuspecting buyers who were not aware that the company was operating illegally.
The agency is urging anyone who has purchased a new home or engaged in a financial transaction with Albion in the last three years to contact the HCRA immediately.
“Buyers give sizeable deposits to new home builders with the expectation they will conduct business according to the law,” Wendy Moir, the HCRA’s chief executive officer and registrar, said in a statement. “The HCRA is taking appropriate action to protect the public and send a clear message to the industry that those who act unlawfully or unethically will be held accountable.”
The HCRA said it is always looking into unethical and illegal builders. It encouraged home buyers to check the Ontario Builder Directory to find out about the company’s licensing status.
“Illegal building and selling remains a serious consumer protection issue and we will continue to investigate this incident and additional reports of illegal activity across the industry,” Moir said.
The HCRA regulates the home building industry in Ontario, which includes licensing and training programs. It also publishes the Ontario Builder Directory, which contains information about more than 6,500 new home builders and vendors.
