"In the biggest case ever brought before the HCRA's discipline committee, Briarwood Development Group was accused of violating the province's code of ethics for home builders by coercing 142 buyers into paying more for pre-construction homes, for which they had already paid deposits and signed agreements, ultimately extracting more than $18 million. The counts against Briarwood were all dismissed or withdrawn last month, after the HCRA failed to prove its case and bring forward substantial evidence."
"Briarwood's lawyers are celebrating the result, and insist the developer acted ethically and transparently with buyers. Many buyers and advocates, however, say the outcome shows the HCRA is failing to regulate the industry and are calling on the province to step in. Some buyers who refused Briarwood's price increase say they remain in limbo years later, still without their homes. "This is a horrible precedent for future buyers," said Toronto real estate lawyer Bob Aaron, who has represented clients who purchased homes with Briarwood."
Briarwood Development Group faced the largest-ever HCRA discipline case after the regulator alleged the developer coerced 142 buyers into paying more for pre-construction homes, extracting over $18 million and facing potential fines exceeding $30 million. Allegations dated to 2022 across Stayner, Angus, Quinte West and Georgina, with buyers reporting demands for additional payments after paying deposits and signing agreements. The counts were dismissed or withdrawn after the HCRA failed to prove its case or present substantial evidence. Briarwood's lawyers say the developer acted ethically and transparently. Many buyers and advocates call the outcome a regulatory failure and seek provincial intervention; some buyers remain without homes.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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