The Ramautor Team

Be careful when relying on the newly expanded Ontario HST rebate at closing.

While Ontario announced a temporary expansion to rebate the full HST on new builds up to 1.5 million dollars, this program is technically just a government proposal. The formal provincial legislation has not been officially passed into law yet.

Because the legal framework and tax forms are still pending, some builders are refusing to credit this expanded amount to buyers at closing. Make sure your purchase agreement explicitly outlines exactly how your rebate will be handled so you do not get stuck paying the full tax out of pocket on closing day.

What is a latent defect and can a seller legally hide it?

A latent defect is a hidden flaw in a property that isn’t easily spotted during a normal walkthrough (like a concealed leak behind the drywall). If a seller willfully hides a defect that impacts the home's value or safety, they can be held legally liable.

Pro tip: Look closely at fresh, isolated repairs. A single piece of brand-new drywall in a 15-year-old basement is a major red flag that a recent issue was covered up.