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EZtoFind.ca provides general educational information about BC real estate — not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice. For your own situation, speak with the appropriate licensed professional: a BC lawyer or notary, an accountant or tax professional, a licensed mortgage broker, or a licensed REALTOR®.
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Life Stage · Relocating

Relocating to BC from Ontario — What Changes

Legal, tax, and market differences between the two provinces

Moving from Ontario to BC in 2026 involves five specific real-estate differences worth knowing before you start a search.

Strata Property Act vs Condominium Act, 1998

BC condos are called 'strata'. The Strata Property Act (SPA) governs BC; Ontario's Condominium Act 1998 governs there. Rules on depreciation reports, contingency reserve funds, and bylaw amendments differ.

Property Transfer Tax vs Land Transfer Tax

BC PTT is 1% on the first $200K, 2% up to $2M, 3% up to $3M, 5% above $3M. Ontario's LTT is 0.5%–2.5% (with an extra Toronto municipal LTT). The BC First-Time Buyer PTT exemption is only for first-timers globally — Ontario's LTT rebate is for first-timers in Canada.

MLS® board coverage

BC's Lower Mainland is split between Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB), and Sea-to-Sky. Ontario uses the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) and its dozens of regional boards. Listings + comparables live on separate MLS® systems.

Subject removal / conditions in a BC offer

BC offers typically include 'subject to' conditions (financing, inspection, review of documents) with a subject-removal date. Ontario offers use similar conditions with slightly different language ('conditional on…'). Timing conventions differ.

Land Title & Survey Authority of BC (LTSA)

BC uses the LTSA for title registration; Ontario uses Teranet. Title insurance is common in both, but the underwriting flow differs.

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Educational information only — not legal, tax, financial, or real-estate advice. Doug LeMaire, REALTOR® · BCFSA #167790 · Fraser Property Management Realty Services Ltd. Not intended to solicit or induce an agreement already in place.
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