Licensing & Warranty
The Homeowner Protection Act (Act) provides for the licensing of residential builders and makes third-party home warranty insurance mandatory on new home construction throughout the province.
The licensing and warranty insurance systems work together to ensure that builders meet minimum standards and consumers are protected with a strong, third-party warranty should a construction defect occur.
The HPO, now a branch of BC Housing, maintains a searchable Public Registry of all Licensed Residential Builders and Building Envelope Renovators in British Columbia.
Residential Construction Performance Guide
The Residential Construction Performance Guide sets out the minimum required performance of new homes covered by home warranty insurance in British Columbia. Residential builders can use the Guide to help meet or exceed the standard to which their new homes will be measured in the event of a claim. Homeowners can search this free online Guide to help determine whether a possible defect in design, labour or materials in their new home may be covered by home warranty insurance.
HPO Online Services
- register new homes
- renew their licence
- apply for licence amendments, such as name or company structure change
- change contact information
Builders can also apply for a new licence online.
- Find more information on becoming a Licensed Residential Builder.
- Start a New Licence Application now.
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