Hoogbruin and Company

Hoogbruin and Company Since 1987, we've handled all manners of personal injury law. Practicing in the areas of bicycle cra

Many property owners pay their assessment without realizing they may have been classified incorrectly, missed an exempti...
09/04/2026

Many property owners pay their assessment without realizing they may have been classified incorrectly, missed an exemption, or qualified for an exclusion.

Before you pay, make sure you check these common red flags.

📅 If something doesn't seem right, book a consultation with Hoogbruin & Company before the deadline.
💾 Save this post—you may need it later.

📞 604-305-0194
📧 [email protected]
🌐 hoogbruin.com

09/02/2026

Here's what the process actually looks like:

✅ Correct your declaration — Errors in your original filing can generally be corrected up to three years after the tax year. Many wrongful assessments trace back to an exemption that simply wasn't applied or recognized correctly.
✅ Apply for applicable exemptions — The SVT includes specific exemptions: principal residence, tenancy, recent purchase, construction, disability, separation, death of an owner, and more. If one applies to you and wasn't captured, that matters.
✅ Formally appeal to the minister — A defined appeal path exists via Form FIN 298. The system itself acknowledges that errors happen. That's why this process was built.

One important note: outstanding balances generally remain payable while an appeal is in progress. Timing matters here.
The window to act is real — but it won't stay open forever. 🕐

If you've received an assessment you believe was applied incorrectly, the right move is to understand your options before that window closes.

At Hoogbruin & Company, we help BC property owners navigate exactly this process — clearly, confidently, and without the overwhelm.

📞 604-305-0194
📧 [email protected]
🌐 hoogbruin.com

08/31/2026

Think your BC Speculation & Vacancy Tax assessment is final? Think again.

Many property owners assume they have no options once they receive—or even pay—their SVT assessment. In reality, some assessments can be corrected, and certain situations may qualify for exemptions or even refunds.

If something about your assessment doesn't seem right, it's worth having it reviewed before important deadlines pass.

Contact Hoogbruin & Company to discuss your situation and learn about your legal options.

📞 604-305-0194
📧 [email protected]
🌐 hoogbruin.com

Picture this: your property was flagged as vacant, but it was your principal residence. That's a disputable classificati...
08/28/2026

Picture this: your property was flagged as vacant, but it was your principal residence. That's a disputable classification. That's your money.
The door isn't closed. But it doesn't stay open forever. ⏳

When a Speculation & Vacancy Tax assessment is disputed, understanding your rights and the available options is important.

👉 Hoogbruin & Company offers direct consultations for BC property owners who believe they were wrongly assessed. We can help review the circumstances, identify potential errors, and advise you on the appropriate steps to challenge an assessment.

Book your consultation for your case evaluation:
📞 604-305-0194
📧 [email protected]
🌐 hoogbruin.com

🚨 Your strata isn't confused about who's responsible for damage — they're counting on you being confused. There's a patt...
08/26/2026

🚨 Your strata isn't confused about who's responsible for damage — they're counting on you being confused.
There's a pattern that plays out in water damage disputes that most owners only recognize in hindsight. By the time the picture becomes clear, the strata's insurer has already built their case.
Here's what that pattern looks like:
🔴 Vague or delayed written responses about where the damage actually originated — because ambiguity works in their favour, not yours.
🔴 Your maintenance log requests go unanswered. Records that should be easy to produce suddenly aren't available.
🔴 Words like "negligence" or "failure to report" start appearing in their communications — often before any real investigation has taken place.
🔴 Bylaw interpretations shift conveniently to place responsibility on your unit in ways you've never heard before.
🔴 You're pressured to accept quick repair arrangements with no written documentation of who's absorbing the liability.
If any of this feels familiar — that instinct you have that something is off? Trust it.
The strata corporation has legal and insurance professionals working on this from day one. You deserve the same clarity.
You don't have to wait for a formal ruling to speak with a lawyer. The window to protect yourself is narrow, and early advice changes outcomes.
💬 If you're in the middle of a strata water damage dispute, drop a 🚩 below — you're not alone in this.

📞 604-305-0194
📧 [email protected]
🌐 hoogbruin.com

· ·

The strata has retained a lawyer. Do you? ⚖️ Most owners in a strata dispute are playing by rules they've never seen — w...
08/24/2026

The strata has retained a lawyer. Do you? ⚖️

Most owners in a strata dispute are playing by rules they've never seen — while the other side already knows the playbook.

Here's the shift that changes everything:
→ The strata corporation's legal counsel is protecting the strata's interests.
→ Not yours. Never yours.
→ And you have the right to independent representation at any stage of a dispute — most owners simply don't know it.

Getting independent legal advice early means you control how damage gets documented, how you communicate with the strata, and how your claim is positioned — before critical decisions get made without you.
Waiting feels safe. It isn't.

Waiting is a strategic choice — and it's usually not the one that benefits the owner. 🔍
If you're already in a strata water damage dispute, now is the time to understand exactly where you stand.

📩 Book a consultation with Hoogbruin & Company
Get clear on your rights before the strata's next move is made for you.

📞 604-305-0194
📧 [email protected]
🌐 hoogbruin.com

💬 Know someone dealing with a strata dispute right now? Tag them — this might be the post they needed to see.

08/21/2026

Water coming through your window during heavy rain can be more than a simple maintenance issue.

In many BC strata properties, water intrusion around windows may be caused by a failed window seal, defective flashing, or a building envelope issue. Determining who is responsible for repairs isn't always straightforward.

Depending on the Strata Property Act, your strata's bylaws, and the source of the leak, responsibility may fall on the strata corporation, the unit owner, or another party.

One of the biggest mistakes owners make is assuming the first explanation they receive is correct. Before paying for repairs or accepting responsibility, it's important to understand your legal rights.

If you're dealing with a window leak or water intrusion in your strata unit, Hoogbruin & Company can help you understand your rights and legal options.

Contact us today to book a consultation.
📞 604-305-0194
📧 [email protected]
🌐 hoogbruin.com

08/19/2026

Water damage, fire, mould, sewage backups, structural issues — any damage claim in a strata building can turn into more than a repair problem. It can become a legal dispute over who's liable.

Many owners assume the strata corporation will handle it fairly. But once multiple insurers, property managers, and liability questions are involved, understanding your rights becomes critical.

In this video, we explain:
✔️ The difference between common property and your strata lot
✔️ Why liability isn't always as straightforward as it seems
✔️ Why early legal guidance can make a real difference in protecting your interests

Dealing with a strata damage dispute, or just want to understand your rights as an owner? This is a good place to start.
Have you dealt with a damage claim in your strata? Share your experience in the comments.

📞 Contact Hoogbruin & Company to discuss your situation and explore your options.

604-305-0194
[email protected]
hoogbruin.com

POV: Water is dripping through your ceiling. Your upstairs neighbour’s unit had a water leak . The water has spread into...
08/17/2026

POV: Water is dripping through your ceiling.

Your upstairs neighbour’s unit had a water leak . The water has spread into your home, and now your ceiling is damaged.
You report it, expecting the issue to be repaired and resolved. But your strata just told you — it's not their responsibility. . 💧

The damage is done.
The silence has set in.

And somehow, you are left alone thinking “Do I have to pay for damage I didn’t cause?”
Before accepting a denial or paying out of pocket, it’s important to understand your options.

Start by documenting everything — photos of the damage, communications with your strata and neighbours, repair estimates, and any reports related to the incident. These details can become important when determining responsibility.

At Hoogbruin & Company, we help strata owners review what happened, understand who may be responsible, and determine the right steps to move forward when a damage claim becomes a dispute.

Schedule your consultation with us to understand your rights, your options, and what steps you can take next.

📞 604-305-0194
📧 [email protected]
🌐 hoogbruin.com

You bought a pre-sale home for $800,000. Two years later, the market value increases to $1 million — but when it’s time ...
08/14/2026

You bought a pre-sale home for $800,000. Two years later, the market value increases to $1 million — but when it’s time to complete the purchase, your financing falls short.

From the purchaser’s perspective, unexpected changes in lending, interest rates, or personal financial circumstances can make completing the purchase difficult. They may need to understand what options are available and whether any legal remedies apply.

From the developer’s perspective, a signed pre-sale agreement is a legally binding commitment. If a purchaser fails to complete the purchase, the developer may have rights under the contract, including potential claims for losses.

Pre-sale disputes can become complicated because both parties may have different expectations and obligations.
Whether you are a purchaser facing completion challenges or a developer dealing with a failed closing, understanding your contractual rights and available legal options is important.

Hoogbruin & Company can help you assess your situation and understand the next steps available to protect your interests.

📞 604-305-0194
📧 [email protected]
🌐 hoogbruin.com

Address

1166 Alberni Street, Suite 1604
Vancouver, BC
V6E3Z3

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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