What Is a Property Disclosure Statement and How Do You Read It?
In BC, sellers of most residential properties are required to complete a Property Disclosure Statement, a document in which the seller discloses known defects and issues with the property to the buyer. Understanding how to read this document, and what its limitations are, is essential for every Kamloops buyer.
The PDS covers a range of potential issues: structural problems, water infiltration, roof condition, HVAC systems, electrical and plumbing, pest infestations, environmental hazards, zoning and bylaw violations, and more. Sellers are required to answer honestly based on their knowledge. They are not required to investigate issues they are unaware of.
This is the critical limitation of the PDS: it reflects what the seller knows, not necessarily the full condition of the property. A seller who genuinely does not know about a crack in the foundation hidden by insulation is not required to disclose it. This is exactly why a home inspection remains essential even when the PDS appears clean.
Read the PDS carefully and pay attention not just to yes answers but to anything marked 'don't know.' These are prompts for further investigation. An unanswered question about roof age or water infiltration history warrants follow-up before you commit.
If a seller has answered yes to any defect questions, they are typically required to provide further details. Read those details carefully and factor them into your offer and inspection focus.
The Kamloops Home Team reviews every PDS with our buyer clients and helps identify which items warrant follow-up before an offer is made or conditions are removed. This is an important part of what a buyer's agent does, and we take it seriously.
Looking to make a move in 2026? Planning is key - don't do it alone.
Contact the Kamloops Home Team for a FREE consultation and market evaluation. Let's get you moving.
(250) 374-1461
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
