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🏡 Understanding Your Property Taxes in the Tri-Cities (and Metro Vancouver)

🏡 Understanding Your Property Taxes in the Tri-Cities (and Metro Vancouver)

If you own a home in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, or Port Moody, you’ve likely received your property tax notice and may be wondering what the different totals mean, whether you're eligible for a grant, or how to avoid late penalties.

This comprehensive guide covers:

  • What your tax bill includes

  • Who qualifies for the Home Owner Grant

  • How to apply (and when!)

  • Pre-authorized monthly payment options

  • Differences across the Tri-Cities and Metro Vancouver


🧾 What Do Your Property Taxes Pay For?

Your property taxes fund key local services such as:

  • Public schools

  • Police and fire protection

  • Waste collection and water services

  • Parks, recreation, and libraries

  • Road and infrastructure maintenance

Each municipality calculates their portion, and your bill may also include levies for TransLink, Metro Vancouver, and BC Assessment.


💡 Breaking Down Your Tax Notice

Your bill typically shows three total amounts:

  1. No Grant (Full Amount): What you pay if you don’t apply for a grant

  2. Basic Grant Applied: Amount after the standard Home Owner Grant

  3. Additional Grant Applied: Amount after the senior or disability grant

Important: Grants are not applied automatically. You must apply each year, even if you've received them before.


✅ Home Owner Grants: Who Can Apply?

Basic Home Owner Grant

Reduces your taxes by up to $570
To qualify, you must:

  • Live in the home as your principal residence

  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

  • Have a property with an assessed value under $2.15 million (2024 threshold)

Additional Grant (Seniors, Disability, Veterans)

Reduces your taxes by up to $845
You may qualify if you:

  • Are 65 or older

  • Have a disability or receive disability assistance

  • Are a veteran or surviving spouse receiving federal benefits


📝 How to Apply for the Home Owner Grant

You now apply directly through the BC government, not your local city.

🔗 Apply online: gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant

You’ll need:

  • Your jurisdiction number and roll number (from your tax notice)

  • Your SIN (if applying for the additional grant)

📞 Prefer to call? Reach out to BC Grant Services: 1-888-355-2700


🗓️ Property Tax Due Date: July 2, 2025

Across the Tri-Cities, property taxes are due by July 2, 2025.
This includes:

  • Coquitlam

  • Port Coquitlam

  • Port Moody

⚠️ A penalty (usually 5%) will be applied to any unpaid amount after the due date — including if you forget to apply for the Home Owner Grant.


💳 Monthly Payment Options to Simplify Budgeting

Looking to avoid a large lump-sum payment in July? Consider enrolling in your local municipality’s Pre-Authorized Payment Plan. This allows you to spread your property tax bill into monthly installments, making it easier to manage your household budget throughout the year.

Explore the programs available in your community:

  • Port Coquitlam: Port Coquitlam Pre-Authorized Plan

  • Coquitlam: Coquitlam Monthly Payment Program

  • Port Moody: Port Moody Property Tax Pre-Authorized Payment

These plans are an excellent option for homeowners who prefer consistent monthly payments over an annual lump sum.


🧓 What About Tax Deferment?

If you are:

  • 55+

  • A surviving spouse

  • A person with a disability

…you may qualify to defer your property taxes through the BC Property Tax Deferment Program.

🔗 Learn more: gov.bc.ca/propertytaxdeferment


🌍 Is It the Same in Metro Vancouver?

Yes — although rates and penalties vary slightly, the Home Owner Grant, tax deferment, and pre-authorized monthly payment options apply across the entire Metro Vancouver region, including:

  • Burnaby

  • Surrey

  • Vancouver

  • New Westminster

  • Richmond
    …and others.

Always check your city’s website for exact local rates, due dates, and payment options.


👋 Have Questions?

Whether you're a first-time homeowner or a long-time resident, navigating property taxes can be confusing. If you’d like help reviewing your tax notice or applying for grants, I’m just a call or message away.


📌 Quick Recap

✔️ Check your bill for grant eligibility
✔️ Apply for the grant before July 2
✔️ Consider monthly payment plans or deferment if eligible
✔️ Don’t risk late penalties


✨ Tara Kennedy

🏡 REALTOR®, ABR, RENE, SRS
📞 236-992-8989
🌐 TaraKennedy.ca
📧 TaraKennedySells@gmail.com

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