Increased Requirements For Consumer Water Heater Transactions

In 2011, 2012 and 2013, the second highest number of consumer complaints made to the Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services had to do with aggressive and deceptive door-to-door water heater rentals and sales. In response, the Ontario government passed amendments to the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 (the "Act") to allow for enhanced disclosure and consumer rights for water heater rentals. These long-awaited changes, along with Regulations setting out details of the new requirements, are set to come into force on April 1, 2015. The changes, which significantly alter the way in which water heaters are rented and sold door-to-door, can be grouped into three broad categories:

• Increased disclosure for consumers;