If you’re thinking about buying a new freehold home in Ontario this spring, listen up.
Starting April 1, 2026, there’s a major Tarion change that affects your deposit protection — and it all comes down to whether you act within 45 days of signing.
This isn’t small print.
This is six-figure protection.
What Is the New 45-Day Tarion Registration Rule?
For any Agreement of Purchase and Sale (APS) signed on or after April 1, 2026:
You must notify Tarion within 45 days of signing.
If you register on time → you qualify for maximum deposit coverage.
If you miss that 45-day window → your deposit protection may fall into a shared secondary fund… which means more risk if your builder runs into financial trouble.
Translation?
Timing = protection.
đź’° How Much of Your Deposit Is Actually Protected?
In today’s GTA market, deposits can easily hit six figures. Here’s how protection works if you register on time:
Note: If you register after the 45-day window, you may only be eligible for coverage under a separate $10 million annual "special fund" which is shared among all late-registrants in Ontario—a much riskier position.
Why Did This Rule Change?
The province introduced this change to crack down on illegal building and “ghost developments.”
When you register your Home ID through Tarion, it immediately verifies that your builder is licensed and authorized to sell.
This protects buyers from:
• Unlicensed builders
• Deposits taken on projects that don’t exist
• Developers disappearing with funds
It adds a layer of accountability — but only if you register.
🏡 Your 2026 Pre-Construction Checklist
If you're buying pre-con in the GTA (or anywhere in Ontario), here’s what you do:
âś” Locate the Home ID
Your builder must provide a Warranty Information Sheet with a 10-digit Home ID at signing.
âś” Mark Your Calendar
You have exactly 45 days from the date you sign your APS.
âś” Register Online
Use Tarion’s MyHome portal to link the Home ID to your name.
It’s free.
It takes less than five minutes.
The Bottom Line
In a market where deposits can reach $80,000, $100,000, or more — this is not paperwork you “get to later.”
This five-minute step protects your money if:
• The builder defaults
• The project isn’t completed
• There’s financial failure
And here’s my advice?
👉 Don’t assume your lawyer is doing this. The 45-day clock starts the moment you sign the APS.
If you’re buying pre-con anywhere in the GTA or Ontario, this is part of your strategy — not an afterthought.
If you want to understand how this fits into your financing, deposit structure, or builder review process, let’s talk. 🏡
From Loan to Home — Your Trusted Path to Ownership. 🏡