 |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
|
|||||||
| Site Map Telephone Reference Guide Download Languages Sponsors Search this Site | |||||||||
|
Part Three: Living Part Four:
City |
Housing
Vancouver has a variety of housing, including single-family homes, apartments, condominiums, and townhouses. The downtown West End is mainly high-rise apartment buildings and condominiums, while much of the rest of the city is single-family homes mixed with low-rise, apartments, medium density condos and townhouse developments along major streets. Where to stay until you find a home Staying in a hotel in the heart of the city may be too expensive for some people, but the Downtown YMCA and YWCA have rooms with kitchens for low prices. In addition, there are apartment hotels that have rooms or suites with kitchens. Check the Yellow Pages in the telephone book under “Hotels” and “Motels”. If you are not purchasing a home and are considering rental accommodation, there are a number of ways to find a rental home. Check classified ads in city and community newspapers, bulletin boards in shops, neighbourhood agencies or local community centres. Check the Yellow Pages under “ Rental Agencies”. Or go to a neighbourhood you like and walk or drive around looking for “For Rent” signs posted in front of the building. For low-cost housing information, check with B.C. Housing ( Renting: tenants and landlords The Province of British Columbia has rules and regulations about what
landlords and renters must do. These rules and regulations are contained
in BC’s Residential Tenancy Act. Contact the BC Residential Tenancy
Office in the Lower Mainland at 604-660-1020. The Office also publishes a useful guide titled A Guide
for Landlords & Tenants In British Columbia, which is also available
on their website at: If you rent and have issues as a tenant, you can contact the Finding a home to buy You may be considering the purchase of a house, a townhouse or a condominium.
There are special newspapers that only have listings of homes for sale.
You can also walk or drive around neighbourhoods you like, looking for
“For Sale” signs. Almost all houses are sold through real estate
agents. A real estate agent can help you look for a home. The Real Estate
Board of Greater Vancouver can provide more information on home buying.
Check their website at: Property Taxes People who own land, houses and other buildings in the city pay property taxes to the City of Vancouver. The money received from property taxes is used to provide City services, some of which are described in this guide. Property tax is based on how much a property is worth according to the government. The BC Assessment Authority, a provincial body, conducts property assessments to determine how much each property is worth in the city. The City of Vancouver sets the tax rates. Every year, property owners get a tax assessment in the mail that indicates how much tax must be paid to the City. Vancouver residents pay property taxes twice a year: once in February and once in July. There are various methods of payment, including at a bank, via the Internet, by mail or in-person at the Tax Office in City Hall. Late payments are subject to a 5 percent fine. To inquire, call: 604-873-7633. The Province also provides a tax subsidy to some homeowners through the Homeowners Grant Program. Eligible homeowners must apply for and complete a Homeowner’s Grant application each year in July when they pay their property taxes. [top] |
|
||
Comments or questions? Send us e-mail at baldwin.wong@vancouver.ca. © 2002,
City of Vancouver, Community Services, Social Planning |
||||
