The Home Owner Grant is a provincial program to reduce the burden of residential property taxes on registered owners who occupy eligible residences. The grant is available to individuals who are Canadian citizens or Landed Immigrants and reside permanently in British Columbia. A home owner is entitled to the grant if he/she occupies an eligible residence as his/her principal residence at the time of application. The grant is not automatically given; it must be applied for each year.
If you are eligible for the Home Owner Grant, the completed application is due by July 2nd. You should apply for the grant even if you are not making a payment or if your mortgage company pays on your behalf.
When a due date falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, payments will be accepted the following business day without penalty.
How to Apply
You can claim your Home Owner Grant On-line through the City's website. Or complete the application form on the back of your annual property tax notice payment stub and submit it to City of Surrey, Property Taxes by July 2nd. The payment stub identifies your property, and the amount of the grant for that property.
For an application form or for information on eligibiity, access the Home Owner Grant website.
Home Owner Grant Forms
Home Owner Grant - FAQ
What is the Home Owner Grant?
- It is a Provincial grant that is applied first to school taxes on a property owner's principal residence and then to municipal taxes.
What are the qualifications to receive the Home Owner Grant?
Can the Home Owner Grant be applied for more than once in a calendar year?
- No, only one Home Owner Grant can be applied for each year. A spouse cannot apply for the Home Owner Grant on a different property. Separated couples can apply for the grant on their own properties but must have entered into a written agreement with their spouse to live separately or be subject to a court order recognizing the split.
How much is the Home Owner Grant worth?
- The Home Owner Grant entitles the owner to a maximum reduction of $570.00 (or $845.00 if over 65 years old, permanently disabled, or in receipt of certain war veterans allowances).
- The grant is reduced at a rate of $5.00 for each $1,000 of assessed value over $1,050,000.
- The basic Home Owner Grant is eliminated on property assessed at $1,164,000.
- The additional Home Owner Grant is eliminated on homes assessed at $1,219,000.
Why does the Home Owner Grant have to be applied for every year?
- The Province requires an application each year to confirm residency. Residency at times changes even when ownership does not. For example, an owner who resides in his home one year may rent his home out to others the following year. Since the Home Owner Grant is only for those property owners who live in their home, an application is required each year to uphold the intent of the legislation.
Why can't the banks claim the Home Owner Grant when paying the net property taxes?
- It is a requirement of the Provincial Government that the property owner sign their Home Owner Grant application yearly. They must verify residence.
Can the previous year's Home Owner Grant still be claimed?
- Yes, the previous year's Home Owner Grant can be claimed as long as the current property owner was eligible for the grant on December 31st and was responsible for payment of the previous year's property taxes. The Provincial Government will not accept any grants for earlier years. Owners must submit a Retroactive Home Owner Grant Application to the City of Surrey, Property Taxes. The application form is available at our office.
Does the Disability Form B, Certificate of Physician and Property Owner, have to be renewed each year?
- No, once the Form B certificate is accepted, we keep it on file unless the Provincial Government requires new forms completed. For more information on the disability eligibility, please see the Provincial website.
Why is the Home Owner Grant penalized when it is a grant?
- It is not actually the Home Owner Grant that is penalized. It is the amount of taxes that would be reduced by the Home Owner Grant once it has been claimed and approved. If the taxes are left unpaid in anticipation of receiving the Home Owner Grant and it is denied (for whatever reason) the taxes that were left unpaid would be subject to the penalties.
My name does not appear on the Property Tax Notice. Can I still claim the Home Owner Grant?
If you have recently purchased your property, your notice may be in the previous owner's name(s). If you are eligible for the Home Owner Grant for this property, you may still use the application on the notice. Just attach a copy of the Registered "Form A - Freehold Transfer" to show us that the property is now in your name. The Land Titles Office will forward us the updated ownership information eventually, but it may not be in time for the property tax due date.
