The record doesn't stop at the keys.

The keys change hands, and the record disappears

"We moved in, and within a month we had a list: a cracked tile, a door that doesn't latch, a window that fogs. I emailed the sales rep, who forwarded it to someone, who never replied." That's the homeowner. The builder's version: "We get the same deficiency three times from three people, with no photo and no unit number." And the strata manager's: "The developer handed us boxes of paper at the first AGM, and we still can't find the roofing warranty."

HomeLink, DeficiencyLink and StrataLink are coming. They are in development, not live today. The idea is simple: the record that carried the home through design, approval and sale should carry on after the keys. The buyer gets the home's plans, finishes and warranty information, and a problem becomes a deficiency with a photo, sent to the right person.

How warranty and handover work in BC, in general terms

Home warranty insurance. In British Columbia, most new homes must be built by a licensed residential builder and covered by third-party home warranty insurance under the Homeowner Protection Act. The standard structure is often described as two, five and ten: coverage for defects in materials and labour in the early period, for the building envelope for longer, and for structural defects the longest. Coverage details depend on the policy, so read yours.

The walkthrough. Before possession, the buyer and builder usually walk the home and list visible deficiencies. That list is the start of the warranty relationship. A deficiency list on paper tends to get lost; one with photos and locations doesn't.

Strata turnover. In a strata development, the developer runs the strata corporation at first. At the first annual general meeting, owners elect a council, and the developer must hand over a set of records, which typically includes plans, warranties and contracts. What exactly is owed is set out in the Strata Property Act and its regulations; check with a strata lawyer or manager.

Who will use it after the keys

Homeowners will use HomeLink to find their plans, finishes and warranty information, and to report a problem. Builders and trades will use DeficiencyLink to see what's open and close it out; see for builders. Strata councils and managers will use StrataLink to hold the building's records. Developers will see handover progress across the project, which matters for the reputation the next launch depends on; see for developers.

The same finish record reviewed during design in Order & review is the one the homeowner will receive. That's why the record matters before the keys, too.

Hand over the record

At possession, the buyer receives the home's record: plans, finishes and warranty information, from the same source used to design and sell it.

Log a deficiency with a photo

DeficiencyLink: the homeowner reports a problem with a photo and its location, and it goes to the person who fixes it.

Track it to closed

Builder and trades see what's open, what's booked and what's done, and the homeowner sees the same status.

Pass the building to the strata

StrataLink: the strata council and manager receive the building's records in one place.