Warranty worth debated Fram page\ “They are going to be able to enforce a higher standard than We are or construction compa- nies will have to spend a lor more to get the warranty in place,” said Fearnley. He said there are at least nine developments in the city that have problems. A homeowner who lives in one of those buildings said the city’s warranty program efforts are long overdue. Jery Zaslove lives at 1555 Eastern Ave., a six-year-old highrise with 52 suites. He said municipal, provincial and feder- al guidelines do not protect homeowners adequately. “There’s no recourse except through the courts ... for the person who doesn’t have a lot of money to repair shoddy workmanship or negligent workmanship,” said Zaslove, the vice-chairman of his build- ROBERT Van Hoven ... last seen by his :, family on Nov. 14. your's worth of galf for the ‘price of one PE graons feo. | Golf Privilege Club®} ~ 900 courses for ~ > $32.10 taciading ost 2) sf aeinst couumeia : LUNG ASSOCIATION Call Ticketmaster at 4-800-863-3611 OF 280-4444 “BY-REGENCY e HUN 1 JOHNSTONES 165 PEMBERTON AVE.’ 985-0234 ay. & Monday ing’s strata council. “There's nothing vou can do. You are totally helpless.” “Right now, everybody points fingers at everybody else. Irs a buyer beware situation,” Zaslove said he’s speaking fron: experience. Like most homeowners in buildings tac- ing renovation work, he’s loathe to discuss his building’s specific problems. Condo owners often won't speak without the permission of their strata councils and aren‘t keen on what publicity may do to the value of suites in the building. However, Zaslove said his building, the Sovereign, carried a one-year warranty. Now, the owners have to go back to the builders, contrac- tors and developers to correct deficiencies that cannot be attributed to the age of the building, he said. “We're working it out bur the situation is a disaster,” he said. Zaslove added that he doesi’t know bow much the repairs will cost, but the prob- lems will be rectified. Would he bay another condo now? “Probably not.” But not evervone agrees thac the citv: should be the trendsetter for mandatory new home warranties. City stat? concluded that a new municipally-based home warranty program would intro- duce another layer of accouat- ability within the regulatory system. But staff added the program would require a number of reg- ulatory changes that would set the city apart from other municipalities and may place it at odds with the development comunity. Restricting the construction market to warrantied compa- nies would reduce competition and may increase costs without an ofKerting improvement in quality, warned staff Staff added thar without a proven track record, many one- nme builders or homeowners will likely not qualify for the program so exceRtions may lead to inequities in the system. In addition, a mandatory city program may add some costs to construction and even- tually prices consumers pay. A locally administered bylaw may cause confusion in other municipalities and lead to a fractured qualification system, said staff. “An assessment by the province of the costs and bene- fits of a warranty program would be advisable before launching one locally,” said an Oct, 22 staff report. Peter Simpson, chief operat- ing officer of the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association, also said the city should wait to see wiat the NV RCMP investigate man’s disappearance NORTH Vancouver RCMP are investigating the disappear- ance of Robert Van Hoven. The North Vancouver resident was last seen by his family on Nov. 14 short- ly before midnight. At that time, he was leaving a family gathering in Burnaby by taxi. Van Hoven said he was going to his boat moored at the Lynnwood Marina. The next morwing, another boat owner at the marina found Van Hoven’s tote bag at the marina. He had the bag when he was last seen the night before. Van Hoven's employer reported him missing on Nov. 18, after he failed to show up for work for qwo days. Police divers searched the area around Van Hoven’s boat but failed to uncover any sign of the missing man. According to friends and family, Van Hoven was not depressed nor did he have any reason to want to hurt himself. Anyone with infermation on his whereabouts are asked to call RCMP Const. Garner at 985-13] 1 or Van Hoven’s family at 820-3306. To communicate well today students seck the Icading edge: global ideas, faster research and better comprehension. Westwoud Tutors ensure a successtil academic career where understanding, compassion and superior knowledge hoid way. Enplish Essays, Exams, Social Smadies and Languages. LP), TOEFL, ESL. For steady steps to success phone or fax far free brochure 922-2080 CHARGED WITH IMPAIRED? YOU HAVE THE RIGHT! Speak to a lawyer right away...) j It is imperative to receive expert legal advise as soon after the charges as possible... while your memory of the events is still fresh. You have the right to an experienced lawyer... One so can advise you of your options... Point out the potential problems... Help you deal with the significant penalties... This isn’t the time to go it alone... We're here to help. ARDAGH HUNTER TURNER 986-4366 AFTER HOURS 926-3181 Criminal matters only. #300-1401 LONSDALE Ave. NorRTH VAN. "E-mail: hunter@cyberion.com filter ch Chrysler's discount superstore MIE Friday, November 28, 1997 — North Shore News — 5 province decides. “Sometimes being the first ont of the gate is not the best way (0 do it,” he said. He said the city’s heart is in the right rlace and his associa- tion would alsa like to see a mandatory home warranty pro- gram. Simpson wants the warrenty program io be an independent third-party warranty. “When vou get the govern- ment involved with it you are going to get someting like ICBC,” he said. Ministry of Municipal Affiirs and Housing spokesman Erik Kaye said the government expects legislation unat would niclude a mandatory new home warranty program to de intro- duced in the spring. He said the process to arrive at such a program has been “multifaceted,” and has includ- ed designers, builders, inspec- tors and consumer groups. Kave said the minister, Michael Farnworth, wants to niake sure the legislation ts effective and addresses all the issues around feaky condos. When reached Tharsday, Fearnley said he didn’t know the province plans to introduce legislation in tne spring. Bur he expects the city wil! ress ahead with its plans, even if it is likely to be superceded by provincial legislation. “Hf we fix it, that’s great. Ef the province fixes it, that’s bet- ter. The province has a lot more power.” Fearnley said new home warranties now available are “run more as a marketing tool than anything else.” 1730 Marine 37. West Vancouver 1437 Lonsdale Ave. North Yancesver FUTON BLOWOUT! FACTORY FUTON Entrance in rear lane COMPAAE 597 sth Ba? —ncindes: solid pine safe hed frone. _ 7 Wig fama core fol, seatch-quasced fate Covet, pilawss and pilus covers. Wie quattilies last 267 E. 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