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| Leaky condos/townhouses/houses: |
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Contents:
Scroll down to find the information
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| Leaky condo PST rebate deadline now past |
The Homeowner Protection Office responsibilities was transferred to BC Housing effective April 1, 2010. The deadline for the PST rebate on eligible leaky condo repairs was 4 p.m. June 30, 2010
| Discontinuation of the No-Interest Loan Program |
CASH Society directors including president Dan Hall (closest facing camera) joined Joan Marr and other leaky condo owners in Victoria
On July 31, 2009, Minister Rich Coleman announced, effective immediately, the discontinuation of the no-interest loan program.
August 25, 2009 - CASH Society Press Release regarding Abrupt End to the No-Interest Loan Program
This program prevented thousands from losing their homes because they could not qualify for financing. With an estimated 40,000 leaky condos that still need to be fixed, people like 74 year old Joan Marr are at risk of losing their homes. Her story
CASH Society joined Joan Marr, in front of the legislature (Victoria) on August 25, 2009 to demand that the program be reinstated. So far, Coleman has not moved on his original announcement.
| Shocking leaky condo data |
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Photo taken April 2006 - The leaky condo crisis is not over. Look closely and you will find three leaky condos (green tarps around the buildings and white tarps acting as roofs). What you cannot see is much more disturbing; the devastation that this ongoing crisis has caused to tens of thousands of people's lives.
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CASH Society has been able to determine that from July 28, 2005 - March 31, 2006, the Homeowner Protection Office (HPO) approved an average $138,831.71 worth of loans per day. This only represents a portion of the true repair costs as many homeowners do not qualify for HPO no-interest or deferred loans and many homeowners are foreclosed upon and forced into bankruptcy.
Data also revealed that the average repair cost of a leaky home has skyrocketed from $19,733.00 in March 15, 2000 to $60,478.72 (July 28, 2005 - March 31, 2006). The largest single approved loan since the creation of the HPO was $325,000.00.
HPO data also show that building envelope failure is hitting many of BC homeowners in smaller communities. This can be ascertained from the value of repairs that are completed - data that is available because completed repairs are eligible for PST exemptions. Completed repairs in Brentwood Bay total $4,784,429.00, Chemanius -$1,404,345.68, Harrison Hot Springs -$492,103.77, and Ladysmith - $1,667,532.77.
Another indicator of leaky condo problems is the amount of approved HPO loans. However, as not all homeowners qualify for HPO loans, the 'approved loan' amount does not indicate the magnitude of the problem. Approved loans in Qualicum Beach total $1,998,015.00, Mission - $1,677,072.93 and Tofino -$1,111, 665.04.
Loan applications have also been received from inland areas such as Kamloops, Vernon and Nelson. It is unclear whether these applications are pending, rejected or withdrawn.
Breakdown of Homeowner Protection Office leaky home data since March 15, 2000
| What are some of the signs and steps you should take |
Note: Although the information provided by the Homeowner Protection Office is intended for strata properties, many of the suggested steps are similar for those dealing with a leaky single family home.
Information about Leaky Home Repairs and Assistance
Visit our Grants/Legal/Assistance Page for more helpful information on legal and financial assistance/rebates.
The Homeowner Protection Office (HPO) was created in response to one of the many Barrett Commission recommendations. The HPO, is provincial crown corporation and is a good resource for owners of leaky homes as well as housing consumers.
Replacing the windows of your leaky home? You may qualify for an energy efficient upgrade incentive program. Visit our Grants/Legal/Assistance Page for more information.
Does your property assessment reflect the reduced value of a leaky home? If not, you may qualify for a reduction in your property assessment (taxes).
| What you should know before selling your leaky strata |
Selling Your Leaky Condominium? Are You Giving Away Your Right to Possible Repair Cost Recovery?
by Edward L. Wilson with Lawson Lundell
| Re-sale of Leaky Condos - Did the Buyer Know? |
Information every condo/townhome buyer should read before buying a home
CMHC study
| Steps you can take to avoid buying a leaky condo |
CASH President John Grasty provides some tips on how to avoid buying a leaky condo
Article featured in Western Living
| It's Not Just the Repair Bills |
It's not just the repair bills
by CASH Society's Past President, Carmen Maretic
| Was the leaky building disaster foretold? |
According to information received through an Access to Information request, CMHC knew of the problem back in the late 1970s early 1980s.
Letter from John Cummins MP April 12, 2005
Letter from John Cummins MP February 20, 2006
(Note: Large PDF files)
What did CMHC know?
CMHC board meeting August 20, 1981
CMHC document July-Aug1981 Part I
CMHC document July-Aug1981 Part II
Government of Newfoundland-Labrador June 1, 1982
CMHC study October 1984 Part I
CMHC study October 1984 Part II
Two attempts to create a Leaky Condo Class Action naming CMHC fails:
2002 - Supreme Court of British Columbia - Reason for Judgment of the Honourable Mr. Justice Macaulay
2007 - Supreme Court of British Columbia - Reason for Judgment of the Honourable Madam Justice Lynn Smith
