Frequently Asked Questions - Property Owners

Questions:

	I have an unregistered 99-year lease on the property. Am I eligible for a Home Owner Grant?
	My mother holds a registered life estate for the property where she lives. Is she eligible for a Home Owner Grant?
	My home is registered in my spouse's name only. We have a legal separation agreement and I'm the only one living here. Can I claim the grant?
	I pay the property taxes on the rental home where I live. Can I claim the grant even though I'm not the registered owner?
	I am the registered owner of a home, although I am still a minor. Is there an age restriction for claiming the Home Owner Grant?
	My property is registered in the name of a limited company. Can I claim the grant?
	I have a one-percent interest registered in the property where I live. The remaining 99 percent is held by a limited company. Do I qualify for the grant?
	I hold a trust for my son who lives on the property. Can he claim the Home Owner Grant?

Answers:

No. Under Section 1 of the Home Owner Grant Act, it stipulates the lease must be registered to qualify.

Yes. She must provide evidence of the registered life estate with her Home Owner Grant application. A copy of the Certificate of Title will confirm the life estate has been registered.

No, you must be registered on title as an owner to claim the grant.

You can claim the grant only if you have an Agreement for Sale or Right to Purchase agreement registered on the property at the Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia.

There is no age requirement for the basic grant. However, we recommend a guardian sign the application on a minor's behalf.

To qualify, you must register a fee simple interest with the Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia. Or, you could draw a 99-year lease between yourself and the company and register the lease with the Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia, or register a life estate. You should be aware that changes to the title may give rise to a liability for Property Transfer Tax and you may wish to determine that before going ahead with the change. Please see Property Transfer Tax for more information.

Yes, you qualify for the grant because you hold a registered interest in the property and it is your principal residence.

No. The Home Owner Grant Act does not recognize beneficial ownership. Only the Trustee, considered as the registered owner, would be able to claim the grant if they met all the eligibility criteria.