New Rules for Short-Term Rentals in BC

May 1 2024 From the province:   The new rules for short-term rentals are now live:   The Principal Residence Requirement, meaning short-term rentals can only be offered in the principal residence of a host, plus one additional unit, secondary suite or laneway home/garden suite on the property in communities where populations are greater than 10,000 people.   The Principal Residence Requirement will function as a provincewide floor for communities with populations of more than 10,000 people, but local governments will still be able to use existing bylaws and introduce additional bylaws that are more restrictive.   The Principal Residence Requirement will come into effect in more than 60 communities throughout B.C.   Strata hotels and motels that have been operating in a manner similar to a hotel or motel before Dec. 8, 2023, and that meet select criteria moving forward, will be exempt from the Principal Residence Requirement.   Non-conforming use of property will no longer apply to short-term rentals. Under previous legal non-conforming use protections, if an existing use of land or a building did not conform to the new bylaw, it would have generally continued with legal non-conforming use.    Short-term rental hosts will be required to display a valid business licence number on their listing, where a business licence is required by a local government.   Short-term rental platforms will be required to share data with the Province.   Local governments can request that a platform remove listings that do not display a valid business licence.   Full requirements for hosts and platforms to comply with the new rules have also been released and are available in Backgrounder 1 and here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals   READ the full release here. New rules for short-term rentals Legislation has been enacted to give local governments stronger enforcement tools for their short-term rental bylaws, return short-term rentals to the the long-term rental market, and establish a new Provincial role in regulating short-term rentals. Services and information topics B.C.'s short-term rental legislation Like many jurisdictions, B.C. is regulating short-term rentals to help return more short-term rental units into homes for people. Learn more about B.C.'s Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act and regulations on this page. Provincial principal residence requirement B.C. has introduced new rules that restrict short-term rentals to principal residences in many B.C. communities, starting May 1, 2024. Information for short-term rental hosts, platforms, and guests As of May 1, 2024, there are new requirements for short-term rental hosts and short-term rental platforms operating in B.C. Find more information for key groups on this page.  Definitions for BC's short-term rental legislation Find definitions and key concepts related to B.C.'s Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act and regulations on this page. Subscribing for short-term rental updates Subscribe for emailed updates to B.C.'s Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act, regulations and related information by entering your email address in the Subscribe text box on this page. Further regulations are expected in the coming year.   SOURCE: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals

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Buyer Information - Your Victoria Real Estate Agent - Buying a Home in Greater Victoria

Homebuyer Guide: From Dream to Keys in Hand Introduction Embarking on the journey to homeownership is an exciting and significant milestone in life. Whether you're a first-time buyer or seasoned homeowner, the process can seem daunting. Fear not! This comprehensive guide is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the homebuying journey with confidence and clarity. You can read our full Home Buyer Guide here. Step 1: Assessing Your Financial Readiness Before diving into the world of real estate listings, it's essential to assess your financial readiness. This step will guide you through creating a budget, saving for a down payment, and understanding your credit score's impact on mortgage eligibility.  If you would like to apply for a mortgage, you can contact me to get started. For a list of recommended Mortgage Agents you can visit this page. For tips on improving your credit score you can visit here. Step 2: Setting Your Homeownership Goals What does your dream home look like? In this step, we'll help you define your homeownership goals by considering factors such as location, property type, size, and amenities. You'll learn to distinguish between must-haves and nice-to-haves, setting realistic expectations for your home search. Step 3: Exploring the Market Armed with your budget and wishlist, it's time to explore the real estate market. From online listings to open houses, we'll discuss effective strategies for finding properties that meet your criteria and narrowing down your options.  You can search options with limited information here (but gives you a full set of active MLS listings) You can search more detailed information on MLS properties for sale in your area here. You can search new construction and pre-sale homes that may not yet be on MLS here. Find out how to use the MLS Matrix system & Your Relationship with a Real Estate Professional.  You can be set up on this priority system - if you have not already been set up please let me know and we can send you a link. Get to know the schools in the area, if that is important for you.  Visit this link for information. Here's how to view crime statistics/maps for the Victoria area. You can learn about the various neighbourhoods in the Greater Victoria area here. BC Secondary Suite Incentive Program Understanding Leasehold Interests New Rules for Short-Term Rentals Step 4: Making an Offer Found the perfect home? Now it's time to make an offer. This step will walk you through the negotiation process, understanding purchase agreements, and navigating potential contingencies to ensure a smooth transaction.  Here is a link to a video that will explain more about understanding the contract of purchase and sale. Step 5: Securing Financing Understanding mortgage options and securing financing is a crucial step in the homebuying process. We'll cover different types of mortgages, the pre-approval process, and tips for finding the right lender for your needs. Step 6: Home Inspections & Insurance Before closing the deal, it's essential to conduct home inspections and appraisals to ensure the property's condition and value. Learn what to expect during these processes and how to interpret the results.  You can find out more about home inspections here. You can find out more about insurance and inspections here. You will also want to have a real estate lawyer review Title for you before removing subject conditions to be sure nothing on Title will be of concern.  You can find more about choosing a real estate lawyer here. Strata Home Owner Resources Step 7: Understanding Purchase Taxes Understaning the taxes will be important as they can impact purchase cost and carrying costs.  In BC there is a Property Transfer Tax which you can find out more about here.    There is also a Vacancy Tax which you can find out more about here. Flipping Tax and Property Tax Exemptions you can find out more information here. Newly built home exemption GST/HST New Housing Rebate First Time Buyer Tax Incentive Step 8: Closing the Deal Congratulations, you've found your dream home! In this step, we'll guide you through the final steps of the homebuying process, including closing costs, signing paperwork, and receiving the keys to your new home. Conclusion With this guide as your companion, you're well-equipped to embark on your journey to homeownership with confidence. Remember, buying a home is a significant milestone, but it's also an exciting adventure filled with endless possibilities. Happy house hunting! About Real Estate and Mortgage Agent Diana Winger Read Testimonials about Diana Winger

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Strata Home Owner Resources

You may be interested to know about these strata resources available to you. Strata properties are a popular housing choice in B.C. for the convenience, security, added amenities and good value. An estimated1.5 million people live in strata housing. Strata housing can include: condos, townhouses, duplexes, even single family homes in bare land strata corporations ("strata subdivisions").  More information here. Condo Home Owner Association: https://choa.bc.ca/ Vancouver Island Strata Owners Association: https://www.visoa.bc.ca/ BC Government website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/strata-housing/more-help-and-support/strata-associations Civil Resolution Tribunal https://civilresolutionbc.ca/ Strata Tips - https://wingerrealestate.com/blog?categoryId=31815 Condo Clear - Srata Document Review https://condoclear.ca/ Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/CondominiumHomeOwnersAssociationofBC/ Home Inspection and Depreciation Report Analysis Victoria BC - https://wingerrealestate.com/blog/Home-Inspection-and-Depreciation-Report-Analysis-Victoria-BC  

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