When two or more people buy property together, they can own it as Joint Tenants or Tenants-in-Common:

• Joint Tenancy means all co-owners share equal, undivided interest in the whole property. The key feature is the right of survivorship—when one owner dies, their interest automatically passes to the surviving owner(s), avoiding probate. This is often preferred by spouses.
• Tenancy-In-Common allows owners to hold unequal shares (e.g., 70-30 or 50-50). Each person can sell or will their share independently. When one owner dies, their share becomes part of their estate and goes through probate.

The main difference is survivorship: joint tenancy includes it, tenancy-in-common does not—making the latter more suitable for friends or business partners.

Property Transfer Tax (PTT) is a tax payable to the Provincial Government each time a property exchanges hands. In British Columbia, the PTT is 1% on the first $200,000 of the purchase price, 2% on the portion of the purchase price between $200,000 and $2,000,000, and 3% on the portion of the purchase price above $2,000,000. 

Property Transfer Tax Payable on your Transaction: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/property-taxes/property-transfer-tax

If you held the property as joint tenants, the right of survivorship means you become the sole owner automatically, without going through the Will. To update the title of the property, we can file a transmission with the BC Land Title office, along with the death certificate and a Property Transfer Tax Return. Once processed, your spouse’s name is removed from the title, and you remain as the sole registered owner.

This program reduces or eliminates Property Transfer Tax for eligible first-time buyers. You get a full exemption if the home’s purchase price is $500,000 or less. If it’s between $500,000 and $835,000, you may qualify for a partial exemption, with savings decreasing as the price rises—no exemption applies over $860,000.

For further information and qualification requirements, please refer to: First time home buyers' program - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

Exemption Amounts: 

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/property-taxes/property-transfer-tax/exemptions/first-time-home-buyers/current-amount

This program offers Property Transfer Tax relief for buyers of newly built homes. You may get a full exemption if the home’s fair market value is $1,100,000 or less, and a partial exemption if it’s up to $1,150,000. No exemption applies above that.

For further information and qualification requirements, please refer to: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/property-taxes/property-transfer-tax/exemptions/newly-built-home-exemption

Many add children to title to avoid probate fees, but this can have serious consequences. Key factors to consider include:

• Liens: Mortgages or deferred taxes may limit title changes.
• Multiple Children: If only one is added, they inherit the full property and aren’t legally required to share it.
• Taxes: You might face Property Transfer Tax and your child could incur capital gains tax later—consult an accountant.
• Legal Risks: The property becomes vulnerable to your child’s creditors or ex-spouse.
• Loss of Control: Once your child is on title, you cannot sell or mortgage the property without their consent.

Always seek legal and financial advice before making this decision.

Title insurance protects homeowners and lenders from financial loss due to title issues like unknown liens, encumbrances, or title fraud. Most lenders require it for mortgage approval. While not mandatory, an Owner Policy is strongly recommended for added protection against future title problems.

For further information, please refer to: https://www.stewart.ca/residential-products/for-buyers-owners

As BC notaries, we can’t prepare legal documents for property outside BC. You’ll need a notary or lawyer in that province to handle the conveyance. However, we can assist with signing and executing the documents locally.

Yes. Wills made elsewhere may not be valid in BC, as estate laws vary between countries and even provinces. If you have assets in BC, it's important to create a BC-specific Will. Likewise, if you own assets in another province or country, you should have a Will made there to cover them. This helps ensure your estate is properly handled in each location.

Yes, we can witness your signature as Attorney, provided the Adult (the person who has given you Power of Attorney) has already signed the document with their notary or lawyer.

We do not act as guarantors, however, if you do not have an eligible guarantor, we can notarize the Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor for your application.

Yes—if you have assets, a spouse, or young children, you should have a will. It lets you decide who inherits what and when, and allows you to appoint a guardian for your children. Without one, you die “intestate,” and the law will determine how your estate is divided and who manages it.

A line of credit typically becomes a mortgage on your property when you use your property as collateral to secure the line of credit. One common type of line of credit that becomes a mortgage is a home equity line of credit (HELOC). With a HELOC, you use the equity in your home as collateral. If you default on the line of credit, the lender can foreclose on your property to recoup their losses, similar to a mortgage. As your Notary, is it our responsibility to ensure the HELOC is paid out in full and discharged off title to your property.