The provincial government is proposing a bill the will require homeowners who will be selling their home to conduct an energy audit at the homeowners expense before you can sell your property. The Toronto Real Estate Board and the Ontario Real Estate Association are lobbying the provincial government their concerns and are urging the government to amend the bill (Bill 150), the Green Energy Act making the energy audits voluntary.
What does this mean to you? That you will have to spend up to 500.00 to list your property for sale.
The reason the provincial government is doing this is so prospective buyers know in advance what issued regarding energy consumption and its costs. Things such as this are covered somewhat in a Home Inspection.
I rarely have clients worrying about energy consumption for a property, except the age old question of "how much is the electricity bill each month?" As an owner, if you feel this mandatory audit is an unnecessary expense, contact your Member of Provincial Parliament.
As an aside, the proposed harmonization of the GST and PST also mean that the cost of selling your property will cost you more (among HUNDREDS of other consumer items, such as gas, insurance, food, clothing). Right now you pay 5% GST on the Realtors fees (commission). Once the harmonization is in place, that amount increases to 12% of the commission. If you are against the Harmonization, make sure you contact your Member of Provincial Parliament to voice your displeasure as well.
If you against both these proposals, contact your Member of Provincial Parliament.
