1. Speculation and Vacancy Tax
Introduced to combat the housing crisis, the Speculation and Vacancy Tax targets homes in urban areas that aren't being used as primary residences. Owners of vacant and under-utilized properties are taxed, encouraging the availability of more homes for BC residents. This move aims to increase rental supply in the province's hot markets.
2. Foreign Buyers' Tax
BC expanded the Foreign Buyers' Tax, initially imposed to cool the Vancouver real estate market, to other regions experiencing rapid price growth. This tax affects foreign entities buying residential property in specified areas of BC, including Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and the Capital and Nanaimo Regional Districts, aiming to curb speculative buying and make housing more accessible for local residents.
3. Comprehensive Real Estate Services Act
Passed to enhance consumer protection, the Comprehensive Real Estate Services Act overhauls the governance of real estate professionals in BC. It aims to improve the standards of practice and increase accountability among real estate agents, providing better protection for consumers in real estate transactions.
4. Transparency in Real Estate Transactions
The implementation of the Land Owner Transparency Act (LOTA) is a significant step towards combating money laundering and achieving transparency in the real estate market. LOTA requires disclosure of the beneficial owners of real estate in BC, making it the first North American jurisdiction to establish such a registry. This measure targets hidden ownership and speculative practices.
5. BC Housing Hub
The BC government launched the HousingHub, a division within BC Housing, to work with communities, non-profits, developers, and faith-based organizations to create new affordable rental housing and homeownership options. This initiative is part of the broader effort to increase the supply of affordable homes for middle-income families across the province.
6. Strata Insurance Reforms
In response to soaring strata insurance costs, the BC government introduced reforms to improve transparency and limit the factors that have been driving up premiums. These changes include requiring strata corporations to inform owners about insurance costs and providing the government with more regulatory powers over the strata insurance market.
7. Ending the Dual Agency Practice
BC banned the practice of dual agency, except in very limited circumstances, to ensure consumers are fully represented in real estate transactions. Dual agency, where a realtor represents both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction, raised concerns about conflicts of interest and the ability of a realtor to impartially serve both parties.
