Mississauga homebuilder tried to charge buyer $518K more for property without any supporting documentation: regulatory body
A regulatory body has revoked the licence of a Mississauga homebuilder after it says that the company demanded that a buyer pay an additional $518,000 for a property that they already had a contract to purchase.
Ontario's Home Construction Regulatory Authority issued the decision earlier this month following an inspection of Pinetree Developments Inc. business operations that first began in December.
In a news release, HCRA said that its investigators found that Pinetree raised the price of an under construction home “despite a signed contract” and then attempted to resell that same property at a higher price after the original purchaser refused to pay the premium and launched litigation.
HCRA also said that Pinetree refused “to provide any documentation to support the increase despite repeated requests,” as required by law.
“After the purchaser refused to agree to the price increase, Pinetree listed the property for sale on Realtor.com for $2,999,999 despite the binding APS (Agreement of Purchase and Sale) and a certificate of pending litigation being registered on title,” the ruling from HCRA states. “The HCRA expressed its concerns to Pinetree and sent Pinetree a letter setting out its expectations that it would honour the APS and comply with the law. The HCRA indicated that if Pinetree did not do so, the HCRA would take regulatory action. To date, the property is still listed for sale.”
The investigation into Pineetree arose out of two complaints received by the HCRA.
However, the regulatory body said that its investigators eventually found several other alleged instances of misconduct, including “falsified building permit applications” and a failure by Pinetree to enroll five of its properties with the Tarion provincial home warranty program.
The HCRA said in its press release that Pinetree had an opportunity to appeal its formal notice that its licence, first issued on May 9, would be revoked, but did not do so.
They also said that Pinetree “has never provided the HCRA with any documents or information to address the HCRA’s concerns.”
"Any one of these actions would be cause for concern. Together they show a company unfit for a licence," the HCRA’s Chief Executive Officer and Registrar Wendy Moir said in the release. “Consumers must be protected from dishonest, unethical and unprofessional conduct, so the HCRA is revoking Pinetree’s licence to build and sell new homes."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.