1. Home Buyers’ Plan

Qualifying home buyers can withdraw up to $25,000 (couples can withdraw up to $50,000) from their RRSPs for a down payment. Home buyers who have repaid their RRSP may be eligible to use the program a second time.

Canada Revenue Agency www.cra.gc.ca Enter ‘Home Buyers’ Plan’ in the search box.

1.800.959.8287

2. GST Rebate on New Homes

New home buyers can apply for a rebate of the federal portion of the GST.

Canada Revenue Agency www.cra.gc.ca Enter ‘RC4028’ in the search box.

1.800.959.8287

3. BC New Rental Housing Rebate (GST)

Landlords buying new or substantially renovated homes are eligible for a rebate, please check out the CRA website link for up to date details.

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/gp/rc4231/README.html

1.800.959.8287

4. BC Property Transfer Tax (PTT) First Time Home Buyers’ Program

Qualifying first-time buyers may be exempt from paying the PTT of 1% on the first $200,000 and 2% on the remainder of the purchase price of a home priced up to $425,000. There is a proportional exemption for homes priced up to $450,000.

BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue

www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/business/Property_Taxes/Property_Transfer_Tax/ptt.htm

250.387.0604

5. BC Home Owner Grant

Reduces property taxes for home owners . 

http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=1BDE78032A6F47A7938497BC9E63BD02

6. BC Property Tax Deferment Programs

Property Tax Deferment Program for Seniors. Qualifying home owners aged 55+ may be eligible to defer property taxes.

Financial Hardship Property Tax Deferment Program. Qualifying low-income home owners may be eligible to defer property taxes.

Property Tax Deferment Program for Families with Children. Qualifying low income home owners who financially support children under age 18 may be eligible to defer property taxes.

BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue

www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals/Property_Taxes/Property_Tax_Deferment/ptd.htm

7. Canada Mortgage and Housing (CMHC) Accessible and Adaptable Programs and Financial Assistance

This federal program provides financial aid to qualifying low-income home owners to repair substandard housing. Eligible repairs include heating, structural, electrical, plumbing and fire safety. Grants are available for seniors, persons with disabilities, owners of rental properties and owners creating secondary and garden suites.

http://cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/prfinas/index.cfm

http://cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/acho/index.cfm

1.800.668.2642 | 604.873.7408

8. CMHC Mortgage Loan Insurance Premium Refund

Provides home buyers with CMHC mortgage insurance, a 10% premium refund and possible extended amortization without surcharge when buyers purchase an energy efficient mortgage or make energy saving renovations.

www.cmhc.ca/en/co/moloin/moloin_008.cfm#reno

604.731.5733

9. Energy Saving Mortgages

Financial institutions offer a range of mortgages to home buyers and owners who make their homes more energy efficient. For example, home owners who have a home energy audit within 90 days of receiving an RBC Energy Saver™ Mortgage, may qualify for a rebate of $300 to their RBC account.

www.rbcroyalbank.com/products/mortgages/energy-saver-mortgage.html

1.800.769.2511

10. Low Interest Renovation Loans

Financial institutions offer ‘green’ loans for home owners making energy efficient upgrades. Vancity’s Bright Ideas personal loan offers home owners up to $20,000 at prime + 1% for up to 10 years for ‘green’ renovations. RBC’s Energy Saver loan offers 1% off the interest rate for a fixed rate installment loan over $5,000 or a $100 renovation on a home energy audit on a fixed rate installment loan over $5,000.

For information visit your financial institution.

https://www.vancity.com/Loans/TypesOfLoans/BrightIdeas/

11. BC Hydro Rebates and Savings

Mail-in rebates for purchasers of ENERGY STAR appliances, fridge rebates, lighting and home electronics.

https://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/residential/rebates_savings.html

1.800.224.9376

12. FortisBC Rebate Program

A range of rebates for home owners including upgrading a hot water tank, $300 rebate on an Ener-Choice fireplace and a $1,000 rebate for switching to natural gas (from oil or propane) and installing an ENERGY STAR heating system.

http://www.fortisbc.com/NaturalGas/Homes/Offers/Pages/default.aspx

1.888.224.2710

13. City of Vancouver Rain Barrel Subsidy Program

The City of Vancouver provides a subsidy of 50% of the cost of a rain barrel for Vancouver residents. With the subsidy, the rain barrel costs $75. Buy your rain barrel at the Transfer Station at 377 W. North Kent Ave., Vancouver, BC. Limit of two per resident. Bring proof of residency.

http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/watersewers/water/conservation/programs/rainbarrel.htm

604.736.2250

Other municipalities have similar offers.

14. Local Government Water Conservation Incentives

Your municipality may provide grants and incentives to residents to help save water. For example, the City of Coquitlam offers residents a $100 rebate and the City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, and District of West Vancouver offer a $50 rebate when residents install a low-flush toilet. Visit your municipality’s website and enter ‘toilet rebate’ to see if there is a program.

15. Local Government Water Meter Programs

Your municipality may provide a program for voluntary water metering, so that you pay only for the amount of water that you use. Delta, Richmond and Surrey have programs and other municipalities may soon follow. Visit your municipality’s website and enter ‘water meter’ to find out if there is a program.