What Are You Required to Disclose When Selling Your Home in BC?
Understanding your disclosure obligations as a seller in BC is essential, not just from a legal standpoint, but because getting this wrong can expose you to liability long after the transaction closes.
In BC, sellers of most residential properties are required to complete a Property Disclosure Statement which covers a wide range of known defects and conditions. The PDS asks about structural issues, moisture and water damage, roof condition, electrical and plumbing systems, heating, pest infestations, zoning and bylaw violations, and other material facts.
The key legal concept is known defects. You are required to disclose what you know. You are not required to investigate issues you have no reason to suspect exist. However, deliberate concealment of a known defect is a serious legal exposure. If you paint over a water stain and sell the home without disclosing the history of moisture intrusion, and the buyer later discovers the issue, you can face significant legal consequences.
Latent defects, which are hidden and not discoverable through reasonable inspection, must be disclosed when known. Patent defects, which would be apparent to a reasonable buyer on inspection, do not require disclosure, though honesty is always advisable.
Sellers are also expected to disclose any facts that would materially affect a buyer's decision to purchase. This has been interpreted broadly by courts and includes issues that go beyond physical condition: history of a grow operation in the home, proximity to a known contamination site, or significant neighbourhood changes planned.
The safest approach is transparent disclosure. The Kamloops Home Team guides all of our seller clients through the disclosure process and helps ensure nothing material is inadvertently omitted.
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Kamloops Home Team | Royal LePage Westwin Realty
Top Royal LePage Team in Kamloops - 2024 & 2025 | 24 years combined experience helping buyers and sellers in Kamloops BC and surrounding communities.
- Scott McDowell, Kamloops Home Team
