Pinetree Developments Inc. is no longer licensed to build or sell homes in Ontario, following an inspection by the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) and revocation of the company’s licence.
Acting on complaints from purchasers, the HCRA found that Pinetree had raised the price of a home under construction – despite a signed contract – and then attempted to resell that same property at a higher price when the original purchaser refused the increase and launched litigation. The company also falsified building permit applications, failed to enrol properties with Tarion as part of its warranty obligations, ignored City of Mississauga orders and repeatedly failed to respond to HCRA inspection letters and compliance orders.
“Any one of these actions would be cause for concern. Together they show a company unfit for a licence,” says Wendy Moir, the HCRA’s Chief Executive Officer and Registrar. “Consumers must be protected from dishonest, unethical and unprofessional conduct, so the HCRA is revoking Pinetree’s licence to build and sell new homes.”
In December 2022, the HCRA commenced an inspection into Pinetree’s business operations, which uncovered a series of unethical and illegal activities:
“One of the standards for a licence is financial viability and responsibility,” Moir says. “Pinetree’s failure to produce relevant financial documents during the HCRA’s inspection created serious doubt about their ability to meet this standard.”
These are not the first infractions for Pinetree. In 2018, the company was charged and convicted in Provincial court for illegally acting as a vendor of a new home. Patricia Perruzza, a principal, officer, and director for Pinetree, was also charged and convicted of two counts of illegally building and selling a new home, in relation to a previous licence held by Pinetree.
“Pinetree had the opportunity to appeal the HCRA’s formal notice that their licence would be revoked but did not do so,” Moir explains. “Under those circumstances, the licence revocation is automatic and immediate.”