THE City of Vancouver is reminding residential property owners that they have one week left to submit an Empty Homes Tax declaration by the Tuesday, February 3 deadline.
As of Tuesday, approximately 15% of property owners have not yet submitted their EHT declaration and are encouraged to do so before February 3 to avoid the $250 by-law fine for late declarations.
A declaration is required for all residential properties in Vancouver, regardless of whether the owner lives at the property or rents it out. For co-owned properties, only one declaration is required.
Property owners can submit their declaration:
- Declare Online – it only takes about five minutes.
- In person – visit Revenue Services in City Hall at 453 West 12th Avenue.
For help making a declaration:
- Watch the step-by-step video (youtu.be/XRo7VTGZjGo)
- Call 3-1-1 (If outside Vancouver, call: 604-873-7000)
- View the City’s declaration instructions, available in English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Punjabi, Tagalog, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Properties that are declared or deemed vacant will be taxed at 3% of their 2025 assessed taxable value. If the City does not receive a declaration by February 3, the property will be treated as vacant and subject to the tax.
Most residential property owners will not be required to pay the tax. The tax does not apply to principal residences, properties that are rented out at least six months a year or properties that are otherwise eligible for an exemption.
All property status declarations are potentially subject to an audit process to determine their validity and encourage compliance.
The provincial government’s Speculation and Vacancy Tax (SVT) is separate from the Empty Homes Tax. For any questions related to the SVT, reach out to the Province directly.
