Roles and Responsibilities
Owning a new home involves several parties, each with distinct roles and responsibilities related to construction, warranty coverage, insurance, and ongoing maintenance. Understanding who is responsible for what helps ensure issues are addressed efficiently and appropriately. The following sections outline the responsibilities of the builder, warranty provider, strata corporation, homeowner, and insurance providers, and explain how these parties work together to support the long-term care of your home.
Developer
- Delivering the home in accordance with applicable building codes, approved drawings, and regulations
- Enrolling the home in a licensed 2-5-10 home warranty program
- Addressing warrantable construction defects reported within the applicable warranty periods, subject to warranty terms
- Coordinating warranty-related repairs where claims are approved
- Providing homeowners with warranty documentation and homeowner manuals
Home Warranty Provider
- Administering the 2-5-10 Home Warranty coverage
- Reviewing and assessing warranty claims submitted by homeowners
- Determining whether reported issues are warrantable based on policy terms and performance standards
- Providing coverage or direction for approved claims in accordance with the warranty agreement
Strata Corporation
- The strata corporation or property manager is responsible for:
- Maintaining and insuring common property and common building systems
- Submitting warranty claims related to common areas and building systems on behalf of owners
- Coordinating access and repairs for common-area warranty work
- Communicating building-wide warranty and maintenance matters to residents
Homeowner
- Maintaining the home in accordance with the homeowner manual and manufacturer guidelines
- Arranging homeowner insurance (contents, improvements, personal liability, and loss assessment coverage)
- Reporting warranty concerns promptly and within applicable warranty timelines
- Allowing reasonable access for inspections and warranty repairs
- Understanding what is considered normal wear, maintenance-related issues, or non-warrantable conditions under the BC Construction Performance Guide
- Preventing damage through proper use of appliances, fixtures, and building systems
Homeowner Insurance Provider
- Covering personal contents, improvements, and betterments
- Providing personal liability coverage
- Responding to sudden and accidental damage (such as leaks or fire) that is not related to construction defects
- Coordinating claims related to insured losses, separate from warranty coverage