In an effort to improve housing affordability, three major changes are being made to the Government of British Columbia’s Property Transfer Tax (PTT) framework. More specifically, as part of the 2024 provincial budget, three exemption changes are being introduced to the PTT. Firstly, the threshold to be eligible for the first-time homebuyers’ exemption will be increased from a fair market value of $500,000 to $835,000, with the first $500,000 exempt from the tax. The phase-out range for the complete elimination of the exemption will be $860,000, while properties with a fair market value under $500,000 will be completely exempt. These changes will start on April 1, 202 It is estimated these changes for first-time homebuyers will benefit about 14,500 people — twice as many as before — with total savings up to $8,000 from buying their home. Secondly, the newly built home exemption for purchasers who buy a new home for their principal residence will grow from $750,000 to $1.1 million on the fair market value. Homes with a fair market value between $1.1 million and $1.15 million will see a phase-out range of the exemption. This exemption change will also start on April 1, 2024. Thirdly, a brand-new PTT exemption will be created for purchases of new qualifying secured purpose-built rental housing buildings, with such buildings required to contain at least four apartment units, be non-stratified, and be used as rentals for at least 10 years, and the residential uses of the building must be entirely used for rental purposes. This specific PTT exemption will apply to transactions for such buildings between January 1, 2025, and December 30, 2030. With home ownership out of reach for many given the elevated home prices, such a policy will help catalyze more “missing middle” rental housing.
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