Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver
| Specific Topics of Lobbying Communications | Intended Outcomes | Associated Subject Matters |
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Energy Efficiency and Homes
We're offering the following recommendations that will impact more buildings and result in more British Columbians reducing their carbon footprints:
1. Consult with real estate sector stakeholders and homeowners before requiring energy assessments on existing homes.
2. Ensure that an energy assessment tool is available to owners of all existing homes.
3. Coordinate an energy assessment tool with other programs.
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Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation, Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity, Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly
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Consumer Issues, Environment, Housing
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Improving Housing Supply
We recommend the provincial government take the following actions:
1. Empower Official Community Plans (OCPs) to reduce unnecessary public hearings - implementing the following opportunities outlined in DAPR will ensure community input and local government effectiveness:
- conduct a provincial policy review to consider trying development approvals to housing targets;
- provide local governments with best practices for writing, adopting and amending OCPs, and
- provide training and a best practices guide on how and when to hold public hearings.
2. Leverage transportation funding and OCPs to encourage local governments to increase gentle densification - diversity in housing stock helps residents find appropriate homes they can afford, and diversity includes more affordable family-friendly alternatives such as duplexes, triplexes, secondary suites and laneway/coach homes. This is important throughout the province, particularly in neighbourhoods accessible to transit.
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Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation, Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity, Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly
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Consumer Issues, Housing
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Regulatory reform - OSRE, RECBC, the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) and Ministry of Finance are working on changes to the Real Estate Services Act and integrating OSRE and RECBC into the BCFSA. Please include Realtors to help decision making in this new structure. They understand the industry and can prevent expensive delays and issues for consumers.
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Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation
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Consumer Issues, Housing
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Strata Insurance - the sudden rising cost of strata insurance has negatively impacted housing affordability for local homeowners. Transparency is needed around proof of insurance, including premiums, deductibles, coverage and expiry date for potential home buyers and sellers within the real estate transaction. Strata corporations need to be provided and provide owners with adequate notice before renewal of policies and in the event of changes to coverage, premiums and deductibles so that they may adapt and adjust to changes in the agreements and mitigate potential financial hardships for owners.
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Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly
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Consumer Issues, Finances and Budgets, Housing, Insurance, Taxation and Finance
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Taxation adds to the high cost of housing and can be a barrier for first time home buyers. Consider raising the Property Transfer Tax first time home buyers exemption to better reflect the market realities in Metro Vancouver (to $750,000 and reviewed annually).
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Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly
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Consumer Issues, Finances and Budgets, Housing, Taxation and Finance
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