A semi-detached house is one of two homes that share a single common wall, each on its own lot or as half of a duplex. In BC, half duplexes can be either strata-titled (registered as a 2-unit strata under the Strata Property Act, with bylaws and modest strata fees) or non-strata freehold (each owner holds an individual freehold title with a party-wall agreement registered against both titles). The two ownership structures behave very differently for insurance, maintenance, and resale; the registered strata plan or absence of a strata plan in the Land Title Office record determines which structure applies.
In BC, a semi-detached house can be owned either as a strata lot within a 2-unit strata corporation registered under the Strata Property Act (SBC 1998, c. 43), or as a non-strata freehold property where each owner holds individual title to their half and shares obligations through a party-wall agreement registered against both titles in the Land Title Office. The presence or absence of a registered strata plan in the Land Title Office record is the definitive way to determine which structure applies. These two structures carry significantly different legal, insurance, and maintenance implications.
A buyer or their licensee can search the Land Title Office records to determine whether a strata plan is registered against the property; if a strata plan number appears on title, the property is a strata lot governed by the Strata Property Act (SBC 1998, c. 43). If no strata plan exists, the property is a non-strata freehold, and any shared-wall obligations will be set out in a party-wall agreement registered as a charge on both titles. Licensed real estate professionals operating under the Real Estate Services Act (RESA) and regulated by the British Columbia Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) have a duty to disclose material information about the property's ownership structure to their clients.
Under the Strata Property Act (SBC 1998, c. 43), a buyer of a strata lot in a 2-unit strata corporation is entitled to receive a Form B (Information Certificate), which discloses the strata corporation's bylaws, rules, current strata fees, any outstanding levies, and the balance of the contingency reserve fund, among other matters. The seller is also required to provide a Form F (Certificate of Payment) confirming that all strata fees and special levies have been paid before title can transfer. Buyers should review these documents carefully because the bylaws of a 2-unit strata can govern matters such as exterior maintenance, alterations, and dispute resolution between the two owners.
A party-wall agreement is a legally binding document registered as a charge against both freehold titles in the Land Title Office, setting out each owner's rights and responsibilities with respect to the shared wall, including matters such as maintenance obligations, cost-sharing for repairs, and restrictions on structural alterations. Unlike a strata corporation, there is no statutory body to enforce the agreement, so disputes between the two freehold owners must generally be resolved through civil litigation or negotiated settlement. Buyers should obtain and carefully review the registered party-wall agreement as part of their due diligence before completing a purchase.
The Strata Property Act (SBC 1998, c. 43) and its Regulation set out requirements for depreciation reports, but historically small strata corporations with fewer than a specified number of strata lots could obtain an exemption by a three-quarters vote; as of 2026, amendments to the Strata Property Regulation have been progressively narrowing those exemptions, so buyers should confirm the current requirements with the BC Government or a strata lawyer. Even if a formal depreciation report is not mandatory for a 2-unit strata, reviewing the contingency reserve fund balance disclosed in the Form B is important for understanding whether funds exist for future major repairs. Consulting a strata property lawyer or the current BC Government guidance is recommended for the precise rules applicable to a specific 2-unit strata.
Property Transfer Tax (PTT) under the BC Property Transfer Tax Act applies to the fair market value of the property at the time of transfer, calculated at 1% on the first $200,000, 2% on the portion from $200,000 to $2,000,000, 3% on the portion from $2,000,000 to $3,000,000, and an additional 2% on any residential value exceeding $3,000,000. A first-time home buyer purchasing a semi-detached house may qualify for a full PTT exemption if the fair market value does not exceed $835,000, with a partial exemption available up to a higher threshold; consult the BC Ministry of Finance for current thresholds. If the semi-detached house is a newly built home, a separate Newly Built Home Exemption may apply for properties with a fair market value up to $1,100,000.
Under the Real Estate Services Act (RESA) and BCFSA rules, a licensee may act for both parties in a transaction only as a designated agent or, in limited circumstances, as a transaction facilitator, with proper disclosure to and informed consent from all parties. The BCFSA has significantly restricted dual agency in BC, and the rules around limited dual agency must be followed precisely; licensees should refer to current BCFSA guidance for the permitted scope of their agency role. Failure to comply with the agency disclosure requirements under RESA can result in disciplinary action by the BCFSA.
Land within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is subject to restrictions under the Agricultural Land Commission Act (SBC 2002, c. 36), administered by the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC), which limits subdivision and non-farm use of ALR land. A buyer should verify with the ALC whether the specific semi-detached property on ALR land was lawfully established and whether any non-farm use applications or subdivision approvals are required for its current or intended use. Buyers are encouraged to contact the ALC directly for confirmation of any restrictions applicable to a specific parcel, as rules regarding non-adhering residential use and minimum lot sizes in the ALR are complex.
If an owner of a semi-detached house (whether strata-titled or freehold) dies without a valid will, their interest in the property passes as part of their estate according to the intestacy rules set out in the Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA, SBC 2009, c. 13), which prescribes the distribution hierarchy among spouses, children, and other relatives. An administrator will need to be appointed by the BC Supreme Court to administer the estate, and probate may be required before the property interest can be transferred or sold. If the property is strata-titled, the strata corporation must be notified of any change in ownership in accordance with the Strata Property Act (SBC 1998, c. 43).
Yes, but a licensee must comply with BC's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), which requires that personal information be collected only for identified purposes, with the individual's knowledge and consent, and used only for those stated purposes. If the licensee wishes to send unsolicited commercial electronic messages — such as promotional emails about available semi-detached houses — they must also comply with Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), which requires express or implied consent, proper sender identification, and an unsubscribe mechanism. BCFSA's professional conduct expectations for licensees under RESA also require that client information be handled with confidentiality and in accordance with applicable privacy law.
Verify the specific statutory language, thresholds, deadlines and current guidance directly with the governing authority: