Ontario Construction News staff writer
TORONTO – A Toronto-based homebuilder and its director have been hit with more than $1 million in fines for illegally building dozens of homes, marking the largest enforcement outcome in the history of the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA).
Albion Building Consultant Inc. and its director, Zamal Hossain, pled guilty to charges related to the illegal construction of 39 new homes, the regulator announced Monday.
The convictions follow a massive investigation that saw the HCRA lay 124 charges against the company in September 2024. The regulator said Albion built the homes without a valid licence and failed to enrol them with Tarion, the administrator of Ontario’s new home warranty plan—both mandatory requirements under provincial law.
“Albion’s repeated disregard for Ontario’s homebuilding laws has led to serious consequences, culminating in the largest enforcement case in HCRA history,” Wendy Moir, the HCRA’s chief executive officer and registrar, said in a release.
“These convictions reinforce that, regardless of the scale or persistence of illegal activity, the HCRA will continue to take action to hold bad actors accountable.”
The court ordered Albion and Hossain to pay a total of $1,018,750 in fines. The HCRA stated the proceeds will be directed to the municipality where the violations occurred.
Albion has a documented history of non-compliance with provincial building regulations. In 2022, the company was ordered to pay more than $200,000 in fines for similar offences.
Following those earlier infractions, Global News reported in February 2023 that Hossain openly admitted to the violations during an interview outside his office. When asked about the lack of warranty registration, Hossain reportedly told the outlet: “Yes, I broke the law. Anything else?”
The HCRA formally revoked Albion’s licence in 2024, determining the company could not be expected to operate with honesty and integrity. Despite the revocation and previous penalties, the regulator alleged the company continued its operations, prompting the sweeping charges laid last fall.
In addition to the financial penalties, a restraining order remains in effect against Albion, prohibiting the company from violating the New Home Construction Licensing Act, 2017. The order also enforces financial freezes previously placed on the company to prevent it from dissipating assets.
“Homebuyers deserve confidence that builders will follow the law,” Moir said. “These latest enforcement actions make clear that persistent non-compliance will lead to escalating consequences.”
The HCRA is urging consumers to verify a builder’s status on the Ontario Builder Directory before entering any purchase agreements. The directory provides details on licensing status, conduct history, and any regulatory orders issued against builders.
