Buying & SellingJuly 9, 2026 · 6 min read

Form B vs Form F in BC: Which Document Do You Need?

Q: Which form does the Land Title Office require?

The Form F. Without a current one, the registrar won't accept the transfer.

Q: Is there a separate form for a strata lien?

Yes — a Form G Certificate of Lien (section 116) is a different document the strata files when it registers a lien for unpaid amounts.

Form B and Form F sound alike but do different jobs. One discloses the strata's finances; the other is required to register the sale. Here's which you need.

A Form B Information Certificate is the detailed strata disclosure you rely on before buying; a Form F Certificate of Payment is the short document proving the seller owes the strata no money — and it's the one the Land Title Office actually requires to register the transfer. Most strata purchases need both, at different stages.

Form B vs Form F at a glance

Form B — Information Certificate

Authority: section 59 of the Strata Property Act
Purpose: discloses the financial and legal status of the lot and the strata
Length: detailed — many line items, plus attachments (rules, budget, depreciation report, insurance summary)
Maximum fee: $35 plus up to 25 cents per page for copies
Deadline: within 7 days of the request
When: during due diligence / subject removal
Registration: not required to register title, but buyers and lenders rely on it

Form F — Certificate of Payment

Authority: section 115 of the Strata Property Act
Purpose: certifies whether the owner owes money to the strata
Length: essentially one page — a clear yes/no on amounts owing
Maximum fee: $15
Validity: current for 60 days
When: near closing
Registration: required at the Land Title Office to register the transfer (section 256)

What a Form B is for

The Form B is the buyer's window into the strata's health: monthly fees, any money the seller owes, special levies still outstanding, the contingency reserve balance, pending 3/4 resolutions, litigation, insurance coverage, and parking or storage allocations. It answers the question, "What am I actually buying into?" For the full itemized list and how to read it, see what a Form B contains.

What a Form F is for

The Form F answers one narrow question: does this owner owe the strata any money? That means unpaid strata fees, special levies, fines, interest, or chargebacks. A "clean" Form F confirms the account is clear. If money is owing, the strata won't issue a clean certificate until it's paid — so in practice the buyer's lawyer or notary holds back funds at completion to clear the debt, then obtains the Form F.

Why the Land Title Office cares about Form F, not Form B

Under section 256, the registrar will not accept a strata-lot transfer for registration unless it's accompanied by a current Form F. The logic is protective: strata debts attach to the strata lot, so requiring a Certificate of Payment stops unpaid amounts from silently transferring to an unsuspecting buyer. The Form B, by contrast, is disclosure — vital for the buyer's decision, but not a registration requirement.

Timing in a typical sale

Offer accepted with subject conditions.
The buyer orders the Form B (along with recent minutes, bylaws, and the depreciation report) to review before removing subjects.
Subjects removed — the deal is firm.
Near completion, the lawyer or notary orders the Form F (valid 60 days) and arranges any holdback for strata arrears.
The transfer is registered at the Land Title Office with the current Form F attached.

Costs and turnaround

The Form B costs up to $35 plus copying and must arrive within 7 days; the Form F costs up to $15 and must be current, meaning issued within the last 60 days at registration. Both are regulated maximums under the Strata Property Regulation. GST and any lawful ancillary charges may apply.

Which one do you need?

Buying and doing your due diligence? You want the Form B — and read the attachments.
Closing and registering the transfer? You need a Form F; your lawyer or notary handles it.
An owner confirming your account is clear? That's a Form F.
Refinancing, or a lender wants the strata's financial picture? Usually a Form B.

Across a single sale, you'll normally touch both.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need both a Form B and a Form F? Usually yes. The Form B informs your decision before you buy; the Form F is required to register the transfer at completion.

Which form does the Land Title Office require? The Form F. Without a current one, the registrar won't accept the transfer.

Who orders the Form F? Typically the buyer's or seller's lawyer or notary, close to completion, because it's only valid for 60 days.

Is there a separate form for a strata lien? Yes — a Form G Certificate of Lien (section 116) is a different document the strata files when it registers a lien for unpaid amounts.