Frequently Asked Questions - Residency Requirements

Questions:

	I am not living on my property at the moment, but my taxes are due before I move in September. Can I claim the home owner grant after I move onto the property?
	I am a U.S. citizen, but I live in British Columbia for six months of the year. Can I claim the home owner grant?
	I claim the grant on the home my spouse and I own. We also have a house at the lake where we spend half our time. We receive our mail at the lake house, and have other proof that we reside there. Can my spouse claim the grant on the property at the lake?
	Can I claim the grant on a house I lived in until last week?
	I forgot to claim the grant before I moved. It seems unfair that I can't claim it now, but someone who moved into the house in December can, when I lived there for most of the year.
	My property has been assessed as having an outbuilding/summer home on it. This is now my principal residence, so I would like to know if I qualify for the grant.
	I maintain a rural property, but I live in town during the winter because of the difficulty in commuting. Am I eligible for the grant on my rural property?
	I am living in a nursing home, but I still own my house. Can I apply for the home owner grant?
	My house burned down in December last year. I am forced to rent an apartment until the house is rebuilt. Am I eligible for the grant for the current year?
	How many days out of the year do I have to live on my property to be eligible for the grant?
	Can I claim the grant if I have rented out my home for part of the year?
	This is the only home I own, but I travel a lot. I am home for a short period of time while I recuperate, and then I leave again. Am I eligible for the grant?
	My home in British Columbia is the only place I own. My family lives overseas and I visit them for up to six months each year. I would like to have my tax notice sent to the overseas address as I travel a great deal. Can I still qualify for the grant?
	I work in Alberta but have a home in British Columbia where I spend all my free time. Do I qualify for the home owner grant?
	On March 1, I moved to British Columbia. However, I maintain an apartment in Calgary, Alberta. I work in Alberta and hold an Alberta driver's licence, but I have B.C. medical insurance. Do I qualify for the grant?
	I maintain a home in Vancouver and an apartment in Calgary. I am in Calgary for one week and return to B.C. for two weeks. I have B.C. medical insurance, car insurance and a B.C. driver's licence, but I file my income tax in Alberta. Do I qualify for the grant?
	What are the criteria used to determine if a property is an applicant's principal residence?

Answers:

Yes. We suggest you pay your taxes in full prior to the due date to avoid a penalty. After you move, you can claim the grant and receive a refund or a credit to your account.

No. You must be a Canadian citizen or have landed immigrant status.

No. You and your spouse are entitled to claim only one grant per year. You must determine which property is your principal residence and claim the grant on that property. Only one grant can be claimed even if the properties are registered in your separate names.

No, because it is no longer your principal residence. You must meet the residency requirements at the time you apply for the grant.

The person who moved onto the property in December can claim the grant only if the grant is outstanding, or they are also paying the property tax for the current year and have not already claimed the grant for another property.

The policies related to residency have been established to meet the requirements of the Home Owner Grant Act. You must meet the residency requirement at the time you apply for the grant.

You must confirm in writing that you now occupy the property as your principal residence and submit this confirmation with your application. You may be asked to provide proof that you are now residing there. You may also wish to contact
BC Assessment and have the classification changed to "residential".

You are eligible if your rural property is your principal residence as defined in the regulation. It can not be rented in your absence. You cannot claim a grant on your property in town if you own the in-town property.

You can claim the grant if your house is not for sale and it is not being rented. The house can be occupied by your spouse or a relative who lived with you at the time you ceased to occupy the residence. It must be your intention to return to your house when able to do so. You can claim the grant as an absentee owner or occupant while in an intermediate care home for a maximum of two taxation years.

Effective for the 2008 tax year, a home owner grant or low-income grant supplement is provided for up to two taxation years to eligible homeowners or occupants (which includes an eligible occupant of an eligible apartment, housing unit, land cooperative or multi-dwelling leased parcel) who cease to occupy their residence due to property damaged or destroyed by fire or other natural disasters (i.e flood).

Therefore, you qualify for the grant if the house was your principal residence until the time of the fire or natural disaster. The property must be assessed and taxed as having the improvement (building) on it and not as vacant land, in the current year and each year you apply for the grant. The residence cannot be occupied by anyone during the reconstruction or repair and it must be your intention to return to your house when it is rebuilt.

There is no minimum time requirement to be eligible, but the property must be your principal residence. It must be the usual place you make your home, live and conduct your daily personal activities and it cannot be rented out.

Yes, as long as you are occupying the property as your principal residence at the time you apply for the grant.

Yes, if you continue to maintain the home as your principal residence and it is not rented during your absences. However, if you occupy a second residence, you may not meet the residency requirement. For more information please contact us.

Yes, you can qualify if you are able to provide proof that the property is still your principal residence and the property is not rented out.

No. You must ordinarily reside in British Columbia and provide proof that your home in British Columbia is your principal residence. When determining eligibility, we consider such criteria as where your bills are sent, where you file your income tax, and in which province you hold a driver's licence.

No. You do not qualify because you carry out the majority of your daily affairs from your Alberta address. As a result, you do not meet the residency requirements. If you hold an Alberta driver's licence, you are deeming yourself to be an Alberta resident. You most likely file your income tax in Alberta as well. You would therefore be considered a resident of Alberta and not of British Columbia.

No, the fact that you file your income tax in Alberta indicates that you consider Alberta your home, where you work and pay taxes. When you file your income tax return in Alberta, you are declaring yourself to be a resident of that province.

To be a principal residence, the property must be where the applicant lives and conducts their daily activities. It must be the address from where they pay their bills, owner occupied house insurance, car insurance, medical insurance and file income tax returns, and which appears on their driver's licence, etc.