INFORMATION BULLETIN

2010HSD0024-000212 March 3, 2010

Ministry of Housing and Social Development

 

HOMEOWNER PROTECTION ACT RESPONSIBILITIES TRANSFERRED

 

VICTORIA – As part of government’s review of Crown corporations, the Province will transfer a number of the key responsibilities under the Homeowner Protection Act effective April 1, 2010.

 

The transfer of responsibilities includes:

 

·        Transferring the residential builder and building envelope renovator licensing, owner builder authorization and the research and education responsibilities to BC Housing.

·        Transferring the administration of the Reconstruction Program to the Ministry of Finance. HPO stopped accepting new applications for this program in July 2009.

 

As of June 30, 2010 the PST Relief Grant for owners of homes with completed building envelope repairs will be terminated in conjunction with the introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Applications for the grant will be accepted at the current HPO address until 4 p.m. on June 30, 2010.

 

Requirements for licensing, owner builder authorizations and home warranty insurance under the Homeowner Protection Act will remain unchanged.

 

The HPO website will continue to provide online licensing, new home registration, owner builder authorization, Building Smart seminar registration, and research and education information for the residential construction industry and consumers.

 

For the latest information about the transfer of the Homeowner Protection Act responsibilities, visit www.hpo.bc.ca.

 

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Media Contact:

Jan Calkins Manager, Communications and Service Planning Homeowner Protection Office 604 646-7053

Sam Rainboth Senior Manager, Public Affairs BC Housing 604 439-4789

 

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.