Building Location Certificates
Building location certificates, sometimes called mortgage certificates, are a survey plan that are based on on-site inspections and measurements by qualified personnel. They provide a bird’s eye view of the property based upon the underlying subdivision plan or legal description that created your property and are simple to read and understand.
A graphical bird’s eye view, based on an actual site inspection, of buildings on your property.
Disclosure of any encroachments.
Can be used multiple times for home financing purposes, depending on the lender.
Can be used for preliminary planning for future building renovations/additions and other improvements.
Can reduce the cost of future surveys such as property line surveys or topographic surveys for design/permitting purposes.
What are the benefits of a building location certificate?
For over a century, Building Location Surveys have been widely and commonly used in BC. The survey document is typically titled “B.C. Land Surveyor’s Certificate of Location” and certified correct by a registered and qualified BC Land Surveyor. BC Land Surveyor’s are authorized to locate improvements relative to boundaries by the Land Surveyors Act, a legal statute in British Columbia.
While these surveys are integral to the world of real estate transactions and are commonly shared with legal professionals such as lawyers and notary publics, their importance extends beyond the transactional realm. They can be an enduring asset to property owners, serving both as a historical record of the property's condition and as a valuable planning tool for the future.
Why should you have your property surveyed?
We’ve created an informative PDF that reiterates the above information and can be used to help guide yourself or your clients on the benefits of getting a survey when purchasing or refinancing a home.