Blake called our office concerned that the City of Vancouver was pursuing him for money owed in
connection with Vancouver’s Empty Homes Tax. Blake had lived in the home for more than 20 years, had explained this to the City several times, and had made his annual declaration. Despite this, his claim was not accepted and he was told that he owed more than $19,000 in unpaid taxes and interest.

We discovered that Blake’s collection notices were being sent by the Ministry of Finance in relation to BC’s Speculation and Vacancy Tax. We also learned that the ministry’s records listed Blake’s mother as co-owner of the property. The notices were being sent because she had not made her required annual Speculation and Vacancy Tax declarations. When we explained our findings to Blake, he informed us that his mother passed away several years ago. It appeared that the executor of her estate had failed to remove her name from the property title.

We relayed this information to the ministry and were advised that if Blake could provide a copy of his mother’s death certificate, it could erase the debt. Blake promptly sent a copy of the death certificate and his home’s status was revised in the ministry’s system, meaning the debt was erased.

We reminded Blake to have the executor take the necessary steps to have his mother removed from title to avoid future collection notices.