Ontario Construction News staff writer
An Ontario business has been convicted of building without a license, falsely presenting himself as a licensed builder, and failing to comply with a compliance order issued by the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA). Al-Leem Kassam has been fined $75,000 and ordered to pay $194,122 in restitution to homeowners affected by his unlawful practices.
The convictions follow a consumer complaint about an abandoned project by Al-Leem Kassam, doing business as Creative Design & Construction, in Port McNicoll in 2021, resulting in a nearly $200,000 financial loss for the purchasers.
The homeowners hired Kassam after seeing his advertisement, unaware that he was not a licensed builder and that he had misrepresented his work by showcasing a home he did not build. The HCRA’s investigation revealed that Kassam’s construction practices were marked by delays, incompetence, lack of health and safety measures, and substandard contractors, the HRCA says in a statement.
“It’s crucial to verify that the builder you’re working with is properly licensed to protect both yourself and your investment,” said Wendy Moir, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the HCRA, stressing the importance of working with licensed builders. “Unlicensed builders have not demonstrated they meet the necessary standards, which can lead to risks such as poor quality construction.”
Ontario law requires that all individuals and companies involved in building or selling new homes must be licensed by the HCRA. Consumers should be cautious when choosing a builder, as advertisements alone do not guarantee licensure.
The Ontario Builder Directory, which provides licensing and other relevant information for 7,000 builders and sellers across the province. Builders not listed in the Directory are likely operating illegally.
“The HCRA is committed to combating illegal activity. We take these violations seriously, and anyone who breaks the law will face significant consequences,” Moir said.
The HCRA regulates and licenses builders and sellers of new homes in Ontario. The HCRA upholds high standards of competence and conduct in the homebuilding industry, ensuring that consumers can trust their investments. By enforcing consistency across the sector, the HCRA helps eliminate unethical and illegal builders from the market, the agency says in its news release.
