Homeowner Grants, Rebates & Legal Resources

Links content:   BC Property Assessments Legal Actions/Assistance Alternative Dispute Resolution Grants for Low-Income Earners or their Landlords includes programs for low income seniors & persons with disabilities  Assistance for Owners of Leaky Homes Energy Efficient Home Purchases or Upgrade Incentives Scroll down to find the information

The information and links below are provided for RESEARCH PURPOSES only. CASH Society does not make any representation as to the accuracy of the views expressed on these sites or as to the effectiveness of the product and/or service provided. Programs, services, fees, grant limits, exemptions, deadlines and/or eligibility criteria could change at anytime without notice. Readers should verify any information provided below by clicking on the "more" button and by consulting the government, organization, business or agency responsible for administrating the program or service. 

BC Property Assessments:

 BC Homeowner Grant Increases in 2007  

Has your property assessment increased? Concerned you will have to pay more property taxes?      

Legal Actions/Assistance:

Class Actions:

• PROPOSED ZONOLITE-ASBESTOS INSULATION CLASS ACTION:  Actions have been filed in the Federal and British Columbian Courts. For information on how to join the class:    
• BANK CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT:  If you paid out your residential mortgage since 1997 and were charged an early pay out penalty, this site may be of interest to you.      

Legal Assistance:

• COURT SERVICES: Small claims court for actions under $25,000.00.     
• LAW LINE:  Provides legal information and referral services to those that meet the financial guidelines for legal advice services.    
• LAW STUDENTS' LEGAL ADVICE PROGRAM: UBC law students offer free legal advice and legal representation at clinics located throughout the Greater Vancouver Regional District.    
• LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE: Canadian Bar Association (British Columbia) provides consultation with a lawyer for up to 30 minutes for a fee of $25.00 plus taxes.    
• LAW SOCIETY OF BC: Finding a lawyer web page.    
• THE SUPREME COURT SELF-HELP INFORMATION CENTRE: Provides free information and access to referrals to help individuals prepare for court if they can't afford a lawyer.    

Alternative Dispute Resolutions:

• INSURANCE DISPUTE RESOLUTION SERVICES OF BC: Provides (insurance only) dispute resolution which includes home warranty. At the time of writing, the service offered an initial free 1/2 hour consultation, and $75.00 plus GST for each hour thereafter. Mediation costs are $150.00, plus taxes for the first hour and $75.00, plus taxes if the dispute does not get resolved in the first hour of mediation. Note: Above mediation charges apply to both parties. Costs of arbritration vary.      
• OTHER FORMS OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION MECHANISMS IN BC:    

Grants for Low Income Earners or their Landlords:

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation provides a number of grants for low income homeowners or landlords accommodating housing needs for low-income earners. Annual budgets are limited and eligibility is based on meeting the criteria established by CMHC. Considerations to determine the amount of the grant and criteria to qualify may include; but is not limited to; property type, value and location of the property, income levels, and the type of repairs/upgrades wishing to be done. The grant limits indicated below are the maximum available to Canadian residence and may not reflect the maximum amounts available to British Columbians. For more details on the maximum grant amounts, and eligibility requirements for CMHC's grant programs listed below click on the "more" button or BC residents can contact CMHC toll-free at 1-800-639-3938.

Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Programs:

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) through the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) offer financial assistance such as:

• HOMEOWNER RRAP: Low-income households who own and occupy substandard housing wishing to repair their dwellings to a minimum level of health and safety may be eligible for a grant up to $24,000 depending on the location of the property and meeting the eligibility criteria established by CMHC. Low-income owners of leaky homes may also qualify for this grant.  
• RRAP FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: Homeowners and landlords wishing to undertake accessibility work to modify dwellings occupied or intended for occupancy by low-income persons with disabilities may be eligible for a grant up to $36,000 depending on the location of the property and meeting the eligibility criteria established by CMHC.    
• RENTAL RRAP: Landlords of affordable housing needing to pay for mandatory repairs to self-contained units occupied by low-income tenants may be eligible for a grant up to $36,000 per unit depending on the location of the property and meeting the eligibility criteria established by CMHC. Mandatory repairs are those required to bring properties up to minimum levels of health and safety;    
• SECONDARY/GARDEN SUITE RRAP: Homeowners and landlords that create a secondary/garden suite to assist in the creation of affordable housing for low-income seniors and adults may be eligible for a grant up to $36,000 per unit depending on the location of the property and meeting the eligibility criteria established by CMHC.        

 

Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence:

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation helps homeowners and landlords pay for minor home adaptations to extend the time low-income seniors can live in their own homes independently. Assistance is a forgivable loan of up to $3,500 based on meeting the criteria established by CMHC.    

    

 

Emergency Repair Program:

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation assists low-income homeowners or landlords with low income occupants in rural areas to make emergency repairs required for the continued safe occupancy of their houses. Up to $11,000/unit is available depending on the location of the residence and meeting the eligibility requirements.

 

No-Interest/Deferred Loans:

Note: If you live on a low income also see Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Programs (listed above) for possible forgivable grants.

 

The Homeowner Protection Office provides no-interest loans to owners of leaky condominiums and other homes who are not able to finance or pay for repairs related to premature building envelope failures. This is not a general compensation program; rather, it is simply a means of providing assistance to those homeowners who are most in need. Most homeowners are eligible because they:

• own leaky homes in the coastal climate zone where the building envelope deteriorated sooner than expected and do not have savings or investments that could be used to pay for repairs;
• pension assets, RRSP assets, and the first $10,000 in liquid assets are exempt;
• for those 60 years of age or older, pension assets, RRIF/RRSP assets, and the first $250,000 in liquid assets are exempt.
• do not have enough equity in their home to qualify for conventional loans or they cannot afford the monthly payment on a conventional loan.

Loan amounts are based on the cost to repair the building envelope and related legal costs. Participating lending institutions provide the principal for the loans.  Homeowners make monthly, principal-only payments to the lending institutions at an affordable level set by the HPO. The HPO pays the interest portion of the loan directly to the lending institutions on behalf of the homeowners.

 

In some instances, the program will allow a minimum monthly payment of $50 and if this payment is considered too burdensome, the HPO approves deferred payment loans that do not require any payments of interest or principal for as long as the homeowner lives in the home. Homeowners must follow a repair criteria to be eligible for the HPO no interest loan program.     

 

Energy efficient home purchases or upgrade incentives:

WARNING - Don't sacrifice your families' health for lower energy costs.    

 

10% rebate on CMHC mortgage insurance fees:

Buyers or homeowners who have less than 25% down payment for their home purchase may require mortgage insurance. Homeowners who choose CMHC to provide mortgage insurance may qualify for a rebate program for qualifying energy efficient homes or renovations. The 10% rebate on Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporations' mortgage insurance premiums may be applicable if: 

• you purchase of a CMHC qualifying energy efficient home;
• you purchase and make CMHC qualifying energy efficient renovations;
• you undertake CMHC qualifying energy efficient renovations to your existing home.

 

Note: CMHC also offers extensions on mortgage amortization periods of up to 35 years for those meeting the energy efficient criteria. Conventional maximum amortization periods are typically no longer than 25 years. Extending amortization periods affects the amount of mortgage payments applied to the principal of the outstanding mortgage debt. Readers should consult an accountant and/or mortgage expert prior to extending the mortgage amortization period.

 

 

Federal grants for eligible energy efficient upgrades:

A maximum $5,000.00 per home grant could be available for energy efficient upgrades. The program is called the ecoENERGY Retrofit program. An assessment and use of certain products is required. For more details      

 

Terasen Gas ENERGY STAR heating upgrade offers:

Terasen Gas customers located in the Lower Mainland, East Kootenays (Columbia) - Interior (Inland) and Fort Nelson regions can qualify for a $250 credit on their Terasen Gas bill when they upgrade/install an ENERGY STAR qualified natural gas furnace or boiler and an additional $50 rebate if it is operated by a variable speed motor. The rebates are available for upgrades installed before March 31, 2008.  For details on qualification requirements:    

 

 

PST Exempt Energy Efficient Products or Sources:

Certain heating products, materials used to prevent heat loss from buildings and alternative energy sources are exempt from provincial sales tax (Social Service Tax). Tax-exempt items could include furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, insulation materials, storm windows, storm doors, weather stripping, caulking material, window insulating systems, separate multi-glazed windows, doors containing multi-glazed windows and a number of alternative energy sources. Homeowners should request the PST exemption at time of purchase from retailers or inform their contractor to request the PST exemption from their respective supplier. For details on what items qualify for the PST exemption:     

 

 

Other rebates/incentives promoted by BC Hydro:

For details and eligibility criteria:     

 

 

Old Fridge $30.00 Buy Back Program:

BC Hydro will pickup and recycle your old, inefficient second fridge and give you $30 for it.  For eligibility requirements    

 

 

Victoria's Washing Machine $125 Rebate Program:

The Capital Regional District of Victoria offers residents a $125 rebate when they replace an old clothes washer with a qualifying new high-efficiency washer. The rebate is available to residents of new or existing houses, condominiums, apartments, townhouses, and duplexes (common areas are not eligible) that are connected to the municipal water supply serving Greater Victoria, Sooke and designated portions of the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area. Properties on private wells are not eligible.

 

Qualification requirements  

 

 

Other Programs:

Other grants, rebates, discounts and incentives not listed above may be available to help you use less energy, switch to renewable energy and produce less waste.      

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