Home Owner Grant Program Information
See if you're eligible to reduce your residential property tax this year, with the Home Owner Grant. This program is governed and managed by the BC Ministry of Finance.
The grant amount is first applied to the school taxes levied on your principal residence, and then to your municipal taxes.
After you've reviewed the criteria and have applied and been approved for the Grant, claim your Home Owner Grant online before the Property Tax due date.
Types of Grants
There are 4 different types of Home Owner Grants. See the Province's website for details on the types of grants (all links open in new windows):
- Basic Home Owner Grant for all residents - if eligible, you can reduce your property tax by up to $570.
- Additional Home Owner Grant for residents who are 65 or older, physically disabled, and/or a veteran.
- Retroactive Home Owner Grant, for residents who may have missed the previous year's deadline.
- Multiple Home Owner Grant , for apartment, housing co-operatives, and housing society buildings.
You must apply for the grant each year, after you receive your property tax notice and by the due date to avoid late penalty fees on the grant amount. The grant is applied toward the current year's property tax.
How to apply for a Home Owner Grant
First, check that you qualify for the grant to the Home Owner Grant eligibility criteria (Website. New window.). If you're a registered owner of the property, Canadian citizen or landed immigrant who lives in British Columbia, and occupy the home as your principal residence, you are eligible.
After you've qualified, claim your homeowner grant.
How to claim your grant:
- Use Surrey's fast, easy and paperless Electronic Home Owner Grant Application Service (or)
- Complete the application form on the front of your property tax notice (located on the remittance portion) and submit it to City of Surrey, Property Taxes & Utilities. Find all Home Owner Grant Forms from the Ministry of Finance (Website. New window.)
You must qualify for the grant when you sign and submit your application forms. If you're claiming the additional grant, provide all information and/or applicable supporting documents required with your application.
Home Owner Grant due date
Submit your completed Home Owner Grant application by July 2. When a due date falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, we accept payments the following business day without penalty. For more information, review the Home Owner Grant Explanatory Notes (PDF. New window.)
Claim your application on time to avoid Property Tax late penalties. If you don't pay your complete Property Tax, in anticipation of receiving the Home Owner Grant, but your Grant application is denied, you may receive late penalties on the tax amount remaining.
Paying your Property Tax Balance
After you've claimed your Home Owner Grant, why not opt to pay your property tax online or pre-pay your property taxes for next year?