Principal Residence Homeowners Overwhelmingly Support Voluntary (92%), Not Mandatory (8%), Audits

TORONTO - A poll released on April 21 by the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) indicates that two-thirds (65%) of Ontario's principal residence homeowners oppose the recently proposed McGuinty government mandatory home energy audit program and instead overwhelmingly favor voluntary audits (92%).

Moreover, the poll found that 70 per cent of Ontario homeowner's think that mandatory home energy audits will deter homeowners from selling their home, having a detrimental effect on the real estate sector and the Ontario economy.

The poll was conducted by Ipsos-Reid for the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) to judge consumer reaction to the provincial government's proposal for mandatory home energy audits prior to sale.

The survey also found:

- Two thirds (62%) of Ontario homeowners believe proposed program is a "poor idea" and seven in 10 (68%) say it's unnecessary

- A massive majority (94%) of Ontario homeowners believe mandatory home energy audits will impose significant cost on home sellers and first time buyers (82%)

"During these difficult economic times, homeowners are right to oppose a system of mandatory requirements that could see them paying thousands of dollars to preserve equity in their homes," said Pauline Aunger, President of OREA.

REALTORS(R) are primarily concerned that the results of these energy audits will be used by home buyers as bargaining chips to significantly reduce the final selling price.

"Mandatory home energy audits will erode hard earned home equity," said Mrs. Aunger. "Now is not the time for increased regulation of Ontario's homeowners. Consumer spending and the real estate industry are vital to the recovery of our economy," she said.

"Today's poll is very compelling evidence that Ontario's homeowners don't want mandatory home energy audits," said John Wright, Senior Vice President of Ipsos Reid, who conducted the poll.

OREA supports a system of voluntary home energy audits combined with improved incentives to offset more of the costs of energy efficiency retrofits.

OREA represents 47,000 brokers and salespeople who are members of the 42 real estate boards throughout the province. Members of the association may use the "REALTOR(R)" trademark, which identifies them as real estate professionals who subscribe to a high standard of ethics and service.