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Authorization to receive confidential property information

Authorization to receive confidential property information

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Pursuant to section 16(4) of the Assessment Act, BC Assessment is permitted to release confidential property information to persons other than property owners in specific circumstances. The rules around disclosure are detailed below.​

What is the Authorization to Receive Confidential Property Information Form?​

Section 16(4) of the Assessment Act authorizes BC Assessment to provide confidential information to a property owner’s agent if such disclosure has been authorized in a prescribed form by the property owner. The Assessment Act Regulations stipulates the prescr​ibed ​Authorization to Receive Confidential Information Form.

Here are instructions and tips on how to complete the Authorization to Receive Confidential Property Information Form.

​When is the Authorization to Receive Confidential Property Information Form required?​

The Form is to be completed and signed by the property owner (or authorized signatory) before BC Assessment may release confidential property information to the owner’s agent. This form is required for all property types except residential properties that accommodate fewer than three families.​

When is the Authorization to Receive Confidential Property Information Form not required?​

A completed Form is not required for property information requests in the following circumstances:

  • Properties are residential and accommodate fewer than three families.  In such cases, the owner provides written authority to release confidential information;
  • The information required is non-confidential information (see details and examples of what types of property information is not confidential below); or
  • The requestor is a lawyer acting on behalf of the owner in a real estate matter. In such cases, the requesting lawyer must provide the request in writing.

​​What property information is not confidential?​

Non-confidential property information is available to the public and includes:​

  • Basic "face of the roll" information available through our online assessment search service. This free service enables members of the public to search and compare property assessments and sales in their neighbourhood or across the province.
  • Detailed "face of the roll" information (i.e. information that appears on the assessment roll), including property address, area number, school district, jurisdiction number, assessment roll number, class, actual value, assessed values, property identification, previous roll value, actual use code, neighbourhood code and dimensions.
  • Information available to the public under Section 3.2 of the Assessment Act Regulation, B.C. Reg. 433/98 (Disclosure of physical inventory information). This includes the land area or dimensions, land location and components of the building, including its general description, total finished area, year built, effective year, number of storeys and bedrooms, basement area and outbuildings.
  • Information available in such forms as Property Value Summary (PVS) Reports. Information contained in a PVS for a residential property includes, for example, the property's address, year built and number of bedrooms and bathrooms.

There may be a fee charged to access non-confidential information for non-property owners.  For additional information, please refer to the Public Information Fee Schedule.

Please visit the Request a  Property Value Summary (PVS) Reports page for detailed information on the request process for Commercial Properties. This includes both single and batch requests.

What property information is confidential?

Confidential property information includes:​

  • property income and expense statements;
  • valuation of property details, which may include actual income, expense and vacancy data;
  • third party information that has been used to assist with the assessment of a property and the release of which would concern the third party; and
  • information about the physical characteristics of a property which are not required to be disclosed pursuant to section 3.1 of the Assessment Act Regulation and which would not be apparent to a person viewing the property from a public vantage point.​​

What if we cannot verify the Authorization to Receive Confidential Information?​

If we are unable to confirm the signatory listed on either BC Registry or on Corporations Canada, we will ask for the following additional information to fulfil your request:

  • An email originating from your corporate client's email domain confirming that the signing party on the form is the signing authority for corporate owner including a statement that the owner is approving the appointment. (see example)
  • A letter on company letterhead with the above statement. (see example)

Additional information

On the Authorization to Receive Confidential Property Information Form, the property owner is asked to specify what type of confidential property information the person may receive.  That recipient is entitled to access the specified information free of charge.

A person need not be authorized to conduct an appeal on behalf of an owner.  However, if the appellant requires confidential property information, they must follow the steps for a confidential property information request (as detailed above).

Who should I contact if I have questions?

If you have questions about the Authorization to Receive Confidential Property Information Form, please contact Administrative Services or call toll-free 1-866-valueBC (or 1-866-825-8322).

 


Updated 09/2024
Disclaimer: Where information presented is different from legislation, legislation shall prevail.