A settlement agreement has been reached on behalf of class members to resolve a class action lawsuit related to HVAC equipment leases against Ontario Energy Group and Home Trust Company.

The class action was commenced against the two companies on July 25, 2016. OEG entered into lease agreements for the installation, rental and servicing of HVAC equipment, such as furnaces, air conditioners and water heaters, with Ontario consumers. Home Trust Company was alleged to have purchased an interest in the lease agreements, collected money under the lease agreements and to have registered liens against homes.

The class action alleged, among other things, that OEG’s lease agreements did not comply with Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act, 2002, and other applicable laws. It sought damages and other remedies for consumers.

The class of consumers affected by the settlement has been defined in court, a settlement reached and a date of Sept. 13, 2021, set for affected parties to opt out of the settlement or comment on or object to class counsel’s fees.

Details of the settlement and next steps are contained in a legal notice authorized by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.