This section provides property owners and realtors with useful information about the LTSA.
To learn more please see our brochure, Creating Confidence by Delivering a Secure Land Title System in BC.
For other queries about the LTSA and the services we provide, view our Frequently Asked Questions pages.
A Definition of Land Surveys and Land Titles
A land survey in BC occurs when a professional land surveyor defines the legal boundaries of a parcel of land. For crown land surveys, the features on and around that parcel will also be noted. Professional land surveyors must follow approved land survey methods and accuracy requirements, and follow the standards set for maintaining on-the-ground survey evidence such as survey monuments (posts or markers). A survey plan is the resulting map of the parcel, and field notes may accompany the plan. Once the survey plan is submitted to the LTSA, a land title is created for it and the parcel is assigned a nine-digit Parcel ID (PID) number.
A land title contains legal title information about a parcel of land; for example, registered owner(s) names, historical title information (back to the date when information was first computerized), and registration numbers that identify any encumbrances that are contained on the search. Details of legal land interests, such as mortgages and easements, are also on the title.
- View our Access to Records page for more information on how to access land title and survey documents. Fees are payable for our services, as outlined in our Schedule of Fees. Please note that all in-person fees are payable by debit card, cash or cheque. Cheques should be made payable to Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia.
Services Provided by the LTSA
When survey plans and land title documents are submitted to the LTSA electronically by lawyers and notaries, or otherwise, our staff provide title and survey document examination & registration services for the following:
- Property transfers
- Mortgages
- Releases
- Transmissions
- Builder Liens and other interests
For more information, see Land Title Q&As.
Services Not Provided by the LTSA
The LTSA strongly recommends that property owners and real estate agents consult legal professionals, and land surveyors where appropriate, for advice. Legal professionals can advise you on how to have your title ownership recorded and answer any property tax questions that you may have. These professionals can also be your representatives in land-related matters and act on your behalf.
Here are the recommended professionals to consult in the following areas:
- Land use or municipal information: Your local city, municipality or regional district
- Dispute resolution: BC lawyer
The LTSA receives numerous inquiries at our Land Title Office front counters and via the phone about matters that do not come under our purview.
The Reliability of BC's Land Title System
BC's land title system is very reliable. Land ownership fraud is very rare and there is very little evidence to suggest that it is a problem in BC.
For more information, please read:
Protecting Your Real Estate Investments
Identity theft is a concern these days and the Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia (LTSA) encourages lawyers and notaries to continue to be vigilant and always ask for identification when dealing with any individual with regard to land title to ensure that they are dealing with the true owner of the land. Unfortunately, as with any area of commerce, there may be people who want to misrepresent ownership of an item, such as land.
However, the Assurance Fund is an essential component of the land title system in British Columbia. The fund is available to compensate registered owners of title in the event of loss. Protection of title is provided to both the seller and purchaser of property, and is critically important for economic stability, investment and social stability.
The facts are that British Columbia's land title system is one of the safest in the world, there is no pattern of increased title fraud, and we have the Assurance Fund available to compensate owners in the very unlikely case that they are financially affected by a title registration error. At the end of 2008, there were approximately 1.9 million active titles in BC. In the last 19 years, the land title system processed 15 million transactions - yet only three claims related to land ownership fraud and only 14 fraud claims related to lesser interests in land such as discharges of mortgage were paid out from the Assurance Fund.
The federal government recently introduced the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) program. FINTRAC receives, analyzes, assesses and discloses financial intelligence on suspected money laundering, terrorist financing and threats to the security of Canada. Real estate brokers and agents are now required to verify their client's identities following specific FINTRAC guidelines and to keep a client information record for every purchase or sale of real estate. If some parties in a real estate transaction are not represented by a real estate broker, the broker/agent will need to verify those parties' identities. Financial institutions are also required to verify their client's identities for certain transactions following specific FINTRAC guidelines.
Lawyers and notaries, as certification authorities under the Land Title Act, have responsibilities to confirm the identity of those who wish to register documents with the LTSA. In late 2008, the Law Society of BC adopted new client identification and verification rules.
Steps for Additional "Peace of Mind"
If you still feel that your land holdings are at risk, there are simple steps that may be taken to provide additional protection. These include:
- An owner, via a lawyer, notary or independent land title registry agent, may use the LTSA's (or the Land Title Act's) Activity Advisory Service accessed through BC OnLine. This service provides an email notice to the lawyer, notary or agent when an application is made that may affect the owner's title.
- In addition, an owner can apply for a Duplicate Certificate of Title through the Land Title and Survey Authority, if the land title does not have a mortgage or agreement for sale registered against it.
An owner who takes possession of their Duplicate Certificate of Title, should ensure it is kept in a safe and secure location to avoid the time and cost associated with replacing it.
To apply for a Duplicate Certificate of Title through the LTSA, you may contact your local Land Title Office.
What You Should Know About the Electronic Filing System
BC lawyers and notaries can instantly file land title and survey documents with the appropriate Land Title Office through the secure and rapid Electronic Filing System (EFS). Filing can be done right from legal professionals' offices, saving time and avoiding delays due to couriers and mailing. EFS is also eco-friendly, saving on courier travel and paper usage.
