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Buyers of new homes across Ottawa are often forced to rent their hot-water systems, at rates they don’t like and terms they don’t control.

In the aftermath of this newspaper’s coverage of suspect door-to-door sales of home appliances — water softeners, air cleaners — a number of readers have pointed to an issue right under our noses, practised by some of our biggest companies.

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It is common in today’s sales agreements to have a clause that requires buyers to rent their systems, even though they own every other appliance — furnace, air conditioner — and have broad choices when it comes to customizing the home with flooring, cabinetry and colours.

The monthly rate for so-called tankless systems is commonly in the $40 range and the “contracts” do not have an end date. Buyouts are possible, but begin in the thousands.

This newspaper spoke to two new homeowners with serious concerns about the practice. One was so upset at being forced to rent that he had the system removed the first month he moved into his Orléans home and told Enercare, the supplier, to come and pick up its equipment. They were not happy, and a year later the system still sits in his garage, with the financial situation unresolved.