In British Columbia, most newly built homes, including strata-titled properties, are required to have third-party new home warranty insurance under the Homeowner Protection Act. This is commonly referred to as the “2-5-10” New Home Warranty.
For buyers, Realtors, strata owners, council members, strata managers, and others involved in purchasing, managing, or living in strata properties, the key issue is not simply whether a warranty exists. The more important questions are:
What the “2-5-10” Warranty Generally Covers
Basic coverage typically includes:
The exact coverage details and the applicable coverage dates depend on the specific warranty policy issued for the building. The only reliable way to confirm what coverage applies is to review the warranty certificate(s) and related documentation.
Proactively Identifying Warranty Issues Is a Good Sign
If you see that a strata corporation is pursuing warranty deficiencies, this should not automatically be treated as a negative. Very few buildings are constructed without any construction-related deficiencies. A strata that identifies problems early and addresses them while warranty coverage is still active is often demonstrating responsible governance and proactive building management.
It is usually more concerning if a newer building shows no evidence that warranty issues have ever been investigated, as this may indicate that opportunities to pursue warranty coverage were missed.
If a strata neglects to take advantage of its new home warranty and later discovers significant construction-related deficiencies, the cost of repairs will likely fall on the owners.
Obtain and Review Warranty Documentation
If a strata building is relatively new, one of the first documents to obtain is the warranty certificate. The certificate confirms the coverage in place and shows when each warranty period expires.
In addition to the certificate, it is helpful to obtain other warranty related documentation, such as:
At Condo Clear, we generally recommend requesting and reviewing warranty documentation for buildings that are about twelve years old or newer. Even after warranty coverage expires, these documents can provide useful insights into the building’s condition and repair history.
What Warranty Records Can Tell You
When available, warranty documentation can help clarify how construction-related issues were identified and addressed during the warranty period. These records may provide insights into:
If little or no warranty information appears in the strata records for a newer building, it may raise questions about whether potential deficiencies were investigated or whether warranty opportunities were missed while coverage was still active.
Why Warranty Coverage Matters
New home warranties can provide meaningful protection for strata corporations, but that protection only exists if the strata identifies potential deficiencies and takes steps to address them while coverage is still active.
For buyers and Realtors reviewing strata documents and warranty records can help reveal whether construction-related issues were identified early and whether the strata took appropriate steps to pursue available coverage.
For council members and strata owners, monitoring warranty periods and investigating potential deficiencies early can help reduce the risk that repair costs will fall on the owners once coverage has expired.
For strata managers and other professionals involved in managing or advising strata corporations, maintaining complete warranty records and ensuring potential issues are investigated early can help support better decision making and reduce uncertainty for everyone involved.
Condo Clear Can Help! Warranty Consulting and Support for Strata Corporations
Managing new home warranties can be time consuming and confusing. The process often involves gathering documentation, coordinating with engineers and lawyers, and ensuring that important warranty deadlines are not overlooked.
At Condo Clear, we provide warranty consulting and support services to help strata corporations and strata management companies better navigate this process. We assist with reviewing and organizing warranty documentation and provide support to strata councils and strata managers as they work with engineers, lawyers, and other professionals involved in evaluating and addressing warranty issues.
By helping coordinate information and documentation, we aim to make the warranty process clearer and more manageable for strata corporations while important warranty timelines are still active. If your strata corporation would like assistance navigating the warranty process, please feel free to contact us to learn how Condo Clear can help.
At Condo Clear, we review strata documents every day and share these insights to help buyers and owners feel more confident navigating strata living. Sign up for our Strata Tip of the Week Newsletter to stay up to date with the latest strata news and articles.
That’s it for this week. If you have any suggestions for other topics you’d like us to cover, please let us know at [email protected].
Author: Mugurel Mic; Last Edited: March 6, 2026
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