Whether you own, plan to own or plan to sell a home with a suite, be aware of the legality of the secondary accommodation. Check with the local community government on how to ensure or make a suite, if not legal, at least safe for family or tenant use.  Not doing so can be very costly.  

The link below is a newspaper article about a fatality from a fire in a basement suite. 
 


https://lethbridge ...

In September, the federal government will launch the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, an interest-free loan that doesn't require monthly payments. The incentive is intended to help reduce monthly mortgage payments without increasing the amount needed to save for a down payment.

How does it work?

Eligible homebuyers with the minimum down payment for an insured mortgage can apply to finance a p ...

The current B.C. Building Code does not provide sufficient flexibility to allow existing suites to meet Code requirements without incurring significant reconstruction costs.

Delta wants to make it easier for homeowners to have secondary suites.

Among Delta's resolutions to the provincial government is to allow secondary suites in side-by-side multi-family buildings such as duplexes, townhouses ...

There are 169 homes in Burnaby with authorized and unauthorized secondary accommodations for use by extended families, in-laws, multi-generations, mortgage helpers, supplemental income or frequent visitors. They range in price from $1,045,000 to $5,388,000.

Legal suites are authorized by city officials and unauthorized suites are said to be illegal. In some jurisdictions, a suite can be regi ...

There are 311 homes in Surrey with authorized and unauthorized secondary accommodations for use by extended families, in-laws, multi-generations, mortgage helpers, supplemental income or frequent visitors. They range in price from $788,606 to $4,025,000.

Legal suites are authorized by city officials and unauthorized suites are said to be illegal. In some jurisdictions, a suite can be registere ...

The British Columbia government has announced changes to the building code (effective Dec 12, 2019) that expand options for secondary suites in multi-family buildings. The change will give local governments the choice to allow secondary suites in side-by-side multi-family buildings such as duplexes, townhouses and row housing. The changes do not apply to apartment-style buildings where units ...

Proposals under review by the city:     

• Rentals should be allowed in low-density transition zones that are near, but not right on, arterials. 
• That would mean four-storey apartments and rentals on many streets that are now restricted to single-detached houses.         
• Rental apartments proposed along the city’s main arterials no longer have to go through rezonings.
  
• This could streamli ...

Only a person’s primary residence — or portion thereof, such as a room — may now be legally rented out on a short-term basis. (All secondary suites, laneway homes, second homes or vacation properties in the city, if rented out, must be rented for 30 days or more.) Those who rent out part or all of their primary residence on a short-term basis must obtain a business licence from the City and f ...

The new licence fees mean people who rent out a second property will now be charged $130 a year, but those who rent out a secondary or basement suite in their primary residence will pay $570 annually. Must register by November 30.

The licence for those renting out a home they don't live in will be $130 annually, with the planned $50 application fee eliminated.

The city has also reduced the fe ...