Home owner grant applications must be sent directly to the Province of British Columbia. The City does not accept applications.
Apply for the home owner grant
The home owner grant is a provincial program that helps reduce the property taxes you pay on your principal residence. It's available to eligible homeowners in B.C. and is applied directly to your property tax account. It must be claimed each year.
Eligibility
To qualify for the grant, you must:
- Be the registered owner of the residence (or a spouse/relative of the deceased owner)
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
- Occupy the residence as your principal home
For more information on eligibility, visit the Province of B.C.’s website.
How to apply
All applications must be submitted online or by phone directly to the province.
When applying, you'll need:
- Your social insurance number (to verify eligibility)
- Your property jurisdiction (204 for Courtenay)
- Your roll/account number (found on your tax notice).
Find your roll/account number at the bottom-left of your tax notice. (See example below.)
Application methods
- Online: The fastest and easiest way to apply is through the Province of B.C.'s website.
- Phone: Apply by phone 24/7 using the self-serve phone system. Call 1-888-355-2700.
Anyone with your permission can apply on your behalf.
When to apply
- You can apply at any time during the tax year. However, the best time to apply is after receiving your property tax notice and before your property tax due date.
- If you apply before your property tax notice is available, your application will remain pending until your tax notice is issued.
- If you apply after your property tax due date, late payment penalties may apply to any unpaid portion of your property taxes.
- You can apply for the home owner grant until December 31 of the current tax year, even if you haven't paid your property taxes.
- If you qualified for the grant in the previous tax year but didn't apply, you may be able to apply retroactively.