A new homebuyer protection period from the provincial government is aimed at protecting people in B.C. looking to buy a home from being pressured into high-risk sales.

The period is the first of its kind in Canada and marks the first key action the province is taking based on the B.C. Financial Services Authority’s (BCFSA) report on ways to offer homebuyers better consumer protection in the real estate market.

The mandatory three-day period will give homebuyers an opportunity to take important steps, such as securing financing or arranging home inspections, as they prepare to make one of their biggest financial decisions.

The homebuyer protection period will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2023. It includes a cancellation fee of 0.25% of the purchase price, or $250 for every $100,000, for those who choose to back out of a deal. For example, if the purchaser exercises the right of rescission on a $1-million home, they would be required to pay $2,500 to the seller.

Buyers still may make offers conditional on home inspections or financing at any time. The protection period will offer homebuyers the opportunity for due diligence at times when conditions are not in place.

“Too many people have been faced with giving up an inspection in order to buy a home,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Finance. “This is a major step toward providing homebuyers with the peace of mind they deserve while protecting the interests of people selling their homes – for today’s market and in the future.”

The homebuyer protection period is informed by the results of consultations that the BCFSA completed this year with a wide range of real estate industry stakeholders, including home inspectors, appraisers, realtors and academics, as well as representatives from the legal and financial services sectors.

The Ministry of Finance stated the province will continue studying the BCFSA’s advice and its potential effects to further strengthen public confidence in the real estate market.

“Buying and selling a home are the most significant financial transactions in most people’s lives. The parameters to implement a homebuyer protection period, as well as other potential consumer protection enhancements, set forth in BCFSA’s advice to the government, are designed to give British Columbians appropriate time to exercise due diligence,” said Blair Morrison, CEO, B.C. Financial Services Authority. “Our advice is based on consultations with over 140 stakeholders, including industry experts and public-interest organizations. We want to promote confidence in real estate transactions and our advice is aligned with that outcome.”

“Home inspections help to eliminate some of the potential costly risks involved in purchasing while helping to make an informed decision. Home Inspectors Association BC members are proud that the B.C. government has recognized these risks and again leads the country in consumer protection,” noted Jonathan Sheppard, president, Home Inspectors Association BC.

BCFSA is responsible for the supervision and regulation of the financial service sector, including real estate professionals, mortgage brokers, insurance, pensions, trusts, credit unions and the Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation.

B.C. will be the first province to implement a homebuyer protection period for resale property and newly constructed homes.

Cooling-off periods for pre-construction sales of multi-unit development properties, like condominiums, are in place under the Real Estate Development and Marketing Act.

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