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1. Did you forget to claim your grant last year?

If you met the eligibility requirements for either the Basic or Additional Grant but forgot to claim it, you may be eligible to apply for a Retroactive Home Owner Grant for the previous year only. Additional documentation will be required. Starting January 1, 2021 municipalities will no longer accept retroactive Home Owner Grant applications. For more information please visit the Provincial Government Home Owner Grant Administration website.

2. Why do I have to claim my grant each year?

The Province of British Columbia requires that all eligible homeowners apply for a Home Owner Grant each year. This is to confirm that they still meet the eligibility requirements to receive a grant.

Claim Your Home Owner Grant Every Year

• Avoid penalty. Claim your Home Owner Grant as part of your payment before the due date.
• If your taxes are paid by your mortgage company, you still need to claim your grant.
• You may claim your grant even if you are not making payment.

If Your Home Owner Grant Is Not Claimed

• Your account will show that you still owe the grant amount and you may receive a penalty.
• City of Coquitlam cannot receive the grant amount from the Province of British Columbia.

After You Claim Your Home Owner Grant

• The grant amount is credited as paid against your outstanding bill.
• City of Coquitlam receives the grant amount from the Province of British Columbia.

3. With recent purchase or sale of property, what happens to the Home Owner Grant?

If you are selling your property, we recommend that you check with your lawyer or notary regarding claiming the Home Owner Grant, prior to the sale.

The following notes are for general guidance only and are subject to detailed provisions in the Act and regulations.

If You Are Selling Your Property

To meet Home Owner Grant eligibility requirements, you must still be the registered owner and be living in the property as your principal residence when you claim the grant.

If You Have Sold the Property

If you are no longer the registered owner of the property, you cannot claim a Home Owner Grant.

Vendor Paid Full Taxes Prior to the Sale of the Property

If the vendor paid the full taxes on the property prior to the sale, the new owner cannot claim a Home Owner Grant.

4. Can the Home Owner Grant be claimed if the registered owner is deceased?

If a spouse or relative was living with of the deceased owner at the time of their passing and continues to live at the property, then he/she may claim the grant on behalf of the owner under certain circumstances.

5. How does the phasing out of the Home Owner Grant work in 2020?

As properties increase in value, the amount of Home Owner Grant available changes.

How Is the Grant Amount Reduced on My Property?

Phasing out of the grant begins at $1,525,000. Homes valued above the threshold may still be eligible for a partial grant. For properties assessed above the threshold, the grant is reduced by $5 for every $1,000 of assessed value in excess of the threshold.

Property Assessed for "Land" Only

If there are no residential improvements on the property, there is no Home Owner Grant available.