British Columbia Homeowners · Sell Without an Agent
This guide covers BC-specific seller documents only. Requirements differ by province. If you are selling in Alberta, see the Alberta paperwork checklist.
What paperwork do you need to sell a house without a realtor in BC?
BC sellers need a Property Disclosure Statement, a Contract of Purchase and Sale, a copy of the land title, and a lawyer to complete the transaction. Strata sellers must also provide strata documents. A survey certificate is not mandatory in BC but is frequently requested by buyers and lenders. The Home Buyer Rescission Period applies automatically to all qualifying BC residential transactions and cannot be waived. Bōde handles required documentation as part of the listing process.
01 The Checklist
Use this checklist to track what you have and what still needs to be sourced. Required documents must be in place before or at closing. Recommended documents reduce delays and build buyer confidence.
Required
Recommended
02 Required Document
The Property Disclosure Statement is a BC-specific form that sellers complete to disclose known material facts about the property. Unlike Alberta, where only material latent defects must be disclosed, BC sellers are expected to complete a full PDS covering the condition of the structure, roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, and other systems. There are different versions of the PDS for freehold residential, strata, and vacant land.
The PDS is typically provided to the buyer around the time an offer is made. Completing it accurately protects you against post-sale disputes. Failing to disclose a known material fact on the PDS exposes you to legal liability after closing. Bōde provides the appropriate PDS form as part of the listing process.
03 Required Document
The Contract of Purchase and Sale is BC’s standard residential purchase agreement. It is the legally binding document that sets out the purchase price, subject conditions, deposit, completion date, possession date, and any included or excluded items. In BC this document is called the Contract of Purchase and Sale rather than a purchase contract as used in Alberta.
When buyers make an offer through Bōde, the system populates an industry-standard Contract of Purchase and Sale with the buyer’s particulars. You can decline, counter, or accept. Every change made during negotiation is reflected on the contract in real time. After acceptance, any amendments require a Sale Addendum. When conditions are removed and the sale becomes firm, a separate written waiver is signed by both parties.
04 Required Document
A copy of your land title is required to sell your home in BC. The title identifies the registered owner, any mortgages, caveats, easements, builders’ liens, and other registered interests against the property. Buyers and their lawyers review the title to confirm ownership and identify anything that must be resolved before the transfer completes.
BC homeowners can pull their own title through the BC Land Title and Survey Authority for a small fee. When you list with Bōde, the platform obtains this on your behalf.
05 Required Document
In addition to the Property Disclosure Statement, BC sellers must disclose material latent defects separately. These are hidden defects that are not visible during a standard inspection and that the seller is aware of. Examples include a history of flooding, structural issues behind finished walls, or known foundation problems.
Bōde asks about material latent defects during the listing process. If a defect applies, the required disclosure form is provided automatically. Failing to disclose a known material latent defect exposes sellers to legal liability after closing. When in doubt, disclose.
06 Strata Sellers Only
If you are selling a strata property in BC, nearly every offer will be conditional on the buyer reviewing the strata documents. These include the bylaws, rules, depreciation report, financial statements, meeting minutes, Form B information certificate, and any special levy notices. Buyers use these documents to assess the financial health of the strata corporation and understand what they are buying into.
Prepare your strata documents before listing. Having them ready reduces condition periods and signals that you are an organized, prepared seller. Note that in BC, strata documents are called strata documents rather than condo documents as used in Alberta. The underlying requirement is similar but the specific forms differ.
07 Frequently Requested
A survey certificate confirms the legal boundaries of your property and the location of all structures on the lot. In BC, a survey certificate is not required to sell. However, buyers frequently request one, and mortgage lenders sometimes require it as a condition of financing approval. In some cases a lender will accept title insurance in place of a survey certificate. In others, they will require both.
If you have an existing survey certificate and no improvements have been made since it was completed, a statutory declaration confirming no changes is often accepted. If you do not have one and a buyer or lender requires it, engage a licensed BC Land Surveyor. Cost is determined on a project-by-project basis.
08 BC-Specific Law
The Home Buyer Rescission Period is a BC law in effect since January 3, 2023. It gives buyers three clear business days after an accepted offer to cancel the Contract of Purchase and Sale for a fee of 0.25% of the purchase price paid to the seller. The right cannot be waived by either party and applies to all qualifying residential transactions including private sales and FSBO properties.
There is no document you need to prepare in advance. The HBRP applies automatically once an offer is accepted. As a seller, understand that an accepted offer is not firm for the first three business days. If a buyer exercises their rescission right, you receive the 0.25% fee and the deposit is returned to the buyer in full.
09 At Closing
In BC, a notary public or lawyer handles the legal transfer at closing. They prepare the Form A Transfer document, manage the discharge of any existing mortgage, distribute funds, and ensure the transaction is legally complete.
Confirm your legal or notarial representation before your listing goes live. Legal fees are paid directly to your lawyer or notary and are separate from any Bōde listing fee.
Bōde handles all of this for BC sellers, from listing to closing.
See how it works →10 Province Comparison
British Columbia
Alberta
Boundary survey document
Survey certificate. Not mandatory, frequently requested.
Real Property Report. Mandatory for most freehold sales.
Seller disclosure form
Property Disclosure Statement (Form PDS). Full property condition disclosure.
Material latent defects disclosure only. No general PDS required.
Purchase agreement name
Contract of Purchase and Sale
Purchase contract
Condo document name
Strata documents
Condo documents
Cooling-off period
Yes. HBRP: 3 business days, 0.25% rescission fee. Cannot be waived.
No equivalent for resale residential properties.
Closing handled by
Lawyer or notary public
Real estate lawyer (notaries do not handle AB real estate closing)
Selling in Alberta instead? See the Alberta seller paperwork checklist.
Common Questions
Yes. A lawyer or notary public is required to complete a residential property transaction in BC. They prepare the Form A Transfer, manage funds, discharge any existing mortgage, and ensure title transfers cleanly to the buyer. Confirm your representation before listing so there are no delays when a firm offer arrives.
The Property Disclosure Statement is a BC form that sellers complete to disclose known facts about the condition of the property. It covers the structure, roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, and other systems. There are separate versions for freehold residential, strata, and vacant land. It is typically provided to the buyer at the time an offer is made.
No. A survey certificate is not a legal requirement to sell residential property in BC. However, buyers frequently request one and lenders sometimes require it as part of financing approval. If you have an existing certificate and no improvements have been made since it was completed, a statutory declaration from you confirming no changes is often sufficient.
Yes. The HBRP applies to all qualifying residential transactions in BC regardless of whether the seller uses an agent. Private sales and FSBO properties are fully subject to the three-day rescission window. The right cannot be waived by either party.
BC strata sellers typically need to provide bylaws, rules, the depreciation report, financial statements, meeting minutes, a Form B information certificate, and any notices of special levies. Nearly all offers on strata properties will be conditional on the buyer reviewing these documents. Prepare them before listing to reduce condition periods.
Beyond required documents, consider preparing a home inspection certificate, property tax information, utility bills, renovation and repair invoices, and any rental agreements if the property is tenanted. Having this information available speeds up buyer due diligence and reduces how many questions arise during a condition period.
This guide provides general information about documentation requirements for home sales in British Columbia. It does not constitute legal advice. Requirements vary by property type and individual circumstances. Consult a licensed BC real estate lawyer or notary public before listing your home.
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