Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some examples of frequently asked questions by homeowners just after closing, and during the first year of occupancy.
Please contact customercare@minto.com if you have a question that is not listed here.
- Is all the work from my Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) going to be done prior to closing?
Not necessarily. We strive to complete as many items as possible, but some items may still be outstanding, which you should include on your 30-Day Report. There are several reasons why we may not be able to complete all items reported at your PDI, such as:
- Timing – we may be unable to schedule the appropriate trade to have the work completed if there is a short timeframe between the PDI and the closing day.
- Material availability – certain materials may be back-ordered, and we may not receive them from our supplier until after your closing date.
- Weather – it may not be possible to repair certain exterior items if the weather is not suitable.
- When do I get my keys?
Your lawyer will release your keys to you after the electronic title transfer is complete on your closing day. This may take up to the end of the business day.
- Do I need to contact the utilities myself to have the account in my name?
Minto will contact the hydro, gas and water utilities to notify them of the change of ownership. Please verify with your lawyer that the name has been transferred.
We recommend you take your own reading on the day of closing to verify against your first bill.
- Where do I get my Canada Post mail and postal code?
Contact Canada Post directly at 1-866-607-6301 or at www.canadapost.ca to inquire about your new postal code or where your mail will be delivered. It could be at a regular community mailbox, a temporary mailbox location, or possibly a local postal outlet (until a temporary mailbox location is set up).
- What if my postal code is not listed with Canada Post yet?
Contact Canada Post directly at 1-866-607-6301 to inquire about missing information on their website. Quite often, it is a matter of the spelling of a street or city name that is preventing the correct address from being identified.
- Who do I contact for my phone and cable connections?
Please contact Bell Canada at 613-310-2355, and Rogers Cablevision at 1-888-764-3771. Remember you have special discounts with Rogers for being a Minto homeowner.
- When is garbage pick-up? Who do we contact about recycle boxes?
For all inquires relating to garbage collection and recycling, please contact the City of Ottawa at www.ottawa.ca or phone 3-1-1.
- When does my warranty begin?
Your warranty begins when you take possession of your home, on your closing day.
- How do I know where my lot lines are?
Please refer to the copy of your lot plan that was provided to you as part of your legal documents on closing.
Certain physical features such as swales, hydro or cable pedestals do not represent lot boundaries. You may find survey pins on your lot, but do not rely on these pins as they may have been moved during grading & landscaping.
Minto does not go back to survey the lot lines after the closing date, therefore we recommend hiring a qualified surveyor to locate you lot lines prior to installing fences, hedges or boundary feature. This will ensure you are not encroaching on the adjoining properties.
- When will my 48 Hour Damage Report be reviewed and the items repaired?
Your 48-hour damage report will be reviewed at your 30-day inspection, along with the items noted on your 30-day report. The purpose of the 48-hour damage report is to document any damage caused prior to closing, that is a result of construction damage. By documenting the damage, you are protecting yourself and your warranty.
- When should I submit my 30-Day & Year-End Reports?
You should submit your 30-day report sometime between the 25th to 30th day after closing. Your 30-day inspection has been pre-arranged by Minto to review your report – please refer to our correspondence with you for this date and time.
Your year-end report should be submitted anytime in the final 30 days of your first year of occupancy. Upon receipt of your report, we will contact you to schedule an inspection.
It is important to note that you cannot make revisions to a report that you have submitted to Tarion. For example, if you have already submitted your year-end report, even if you are still within your first year of occupancy and you want to report something new, Tarion will not accept a second list. So please take your time, and ensure the reports you submit are complete.
- Do I have to be home on my work days for a service call?
Yes. When Minto or one of our trade partners is scheduled to complete work inside your home, an adult must be home while the repairs are being completed. It is in your best interest to be home during your work day, so you can inspect the work yourself, and authorize that the work has been done to your satisfaction.
- Who do I contact when a power outage occurs?
Contact your hydro supplier, such as Hydro Ottawa or Hydro One.
- When will my landscaping and driveway be done?
It may take up to one full year before your sod, trees and driveway are complete. It is ideal to allow for proper ground settlement and compaction over the course of one winter before paving your driveway. This will ensure a higher-quality driveway that will last for years to come.
Since we generally have only 5-6 months per year to install sod and trees, we have to catch up with the phases that closed in the previous year before we can provide landscaping for newer closings. We do our landscaping phase-by-phase, so it is important to note that there may be homes that receive landscaping before you do, even if they moved in at a later date.
We strive to complete your exterior as soon as possible, however all exterior work is weather permitting.
During the summer months (after May) you can contact Customer Care to learn about the tentative schedule for landscaping in your area. Please note this schedule fluctuates frequently due to weather conditions.
- How do I know what type of tree(s) will be planted in my yard, and where they will be planted?
Please refer to the landscaping plan that is available for viewing at your community sales centre.
- Why is there water/ice build-up on my windows?
Condensation and ice on windows will occur if high relative humidity is maintained inside the home during periods of very cold weather. Humidity in the home is largely influenced and controlled by the family's lifestyle. A variety of factors can cause higher than normal levels of humidity such as the number of occupants, cooking patterns, showering and other daily activities. Also, humidity is higher during the first year of occupancy of a new home due to the home “drying out”.
As soon as excessive condensation occurs on inside window surfaces, steps should be taken to reduce the relative humidity by controlling the moisture sources or by increasing ventilation. You can try the following:
- Run the fans in your home - the primary exhaust fan located in the powder room, the furnace fan, stove hood fan or bathroom fans
- Open windows for natural air circulation (weather permitting)
- Open blinds and curtains during the day
- Remove interior window screens during winter months for air to flow freely against windows
- Leave inside room doors open for better circulation
- Avoid blocking cold air vents with furniture
- Who is responsible for snow removal and sanding/salting on my street?
If you own a freehold home, then your street will be cleared by the City of Ottawa and more information is available at www.ottawa.ca or by calling 3-1-1.
If you own a condominium, Minto will be responsible for snow removal only until the turnover to the Condominium Corporation. Please contact your Condominium Manager for more details.
- I live in a condominium – who do I contact for visitor parking registration?
Please contact your Condominium Corporation.
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