Vancouver Empty Homes Tax, is also known as the Vacancy Tax
Vancouver Empty Homes Tax, is also known as the Vacancy Tax
To address Vancouver’s housing crisis, Vancouver have implemented an annual tax on empty or under-utilized residential properties called the Empty Homes Tax.
Every owner of residential property in Vancouver is required to submit a property status declaration each year to determine if their property is subject to the tax.
Properties deemed empty will be subject to a tax of 1% of the property’s assessed taxable value.
Most homes will not be subject to the tax, as it does not apply to principal residences or homes rented for minimum 6 months of the year; however all homeowners are required to submit a declaration.
Net revenues from the Empty Homes Tax will be reinvested into affordable housing initiatives.
The Empty Homes Tax is also known as the Vacancy Tax and is imposed under the Vacancy Tax Bylaw No. 11674
Will your home be taxed?
Properties deemed vacant will be subject to a tax of 1% of the property’s assessed taxable value.
Every owner of residential property will have to make a property status declaration each year. This will determine if the property is subject to the Empty Homes Tax, also known as the Vacancy Tax.
You will not be subject to the tax if you can meet one of the exemptions listed below.
If you claim one of the following exemptions, you must be able to provide evidence that validates your declaration if asked.
Evidence documentation is not required at the time of declaration and will only be requested if the property is selected for audit.
Exemption type | Exemption details | Examples of acceptable evidence |
Occupancy for full-time work | Your property is not your principal residence, but you occupied it for at least 180 days of the year because you worked in the city of Vancouver. This exemption only applies to registered owners who occupied their property for residential purposes to attend work in the city of Vancouver. It does not apply to properties that are being used solely as office space. |
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Owner in care | Your property was unoccupied for more than 180 days because you or your tenant was undergoing medical care or is residing in a hospital, long term, or supportive care facility. The property must have been occupied prior to the 180 day period of vacancy. This exemption does not apply to second homes that are used occasionally to receive medical care in Vancouver. |
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Estate of deceased | The property was unoccupied for more than 180 days because the registered owner is deceased and a grant of probate or administration of the estate was pending. This exemption does not apply if a grant of administration or probate was issued by a date that would have allowed the property to have been occupied for six months of the calendar year. The property will otherwise be subject to the tax unless it was used as a principal residence or rented to a tenant or subtenant for at least six months. |
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Transfer of property | Legal ownership was transferred during the reference period (the property was sold) and a new Land Title Number was issued. The use of “transfer” is based on the definition of “transfer” in the Land Title Act, being a conveyance, a grant, and an assignment. This exemption does not apply to properties that were issued a new Land Title Number solely because of a name or address change. |
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Undergoing redevelopment or major renovations | Your property was unoccupied for more than 180 days because:
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Strata rental restriction | Your property was unoccupied for more than 180 days because it was subject to a strata rental bylaw as of November 16, 2016:
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Court order | Your property was unoccupied for more than 180 days because the property was under one of the following:
This exemption applies to owners who were prohibited from selling, occupying, or renting their property. In cases where an order or a governmental authority prohibits occupancy, the owner must be able to show that they have acted diligently to meet the requirements of the order. This exemption does not apply to properties that are uninhabitable due to inaction by the owner. |
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Limited use residential property | Your property was unoccupied for more than 180 days because the use of the property was limited to one of the following:
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