Skip to main content

COVID 19 Update from the Entrust Team

With daily changes to policies and closures, we want to confirm that as legal services are considered essential services, the Entrust Team continues to be here for you. We continue to comply with the safety measure to keep clients and staff safe. We are committed to being available for current and new clients alike. Through phone and video conferencing we can handle the majority of our client meetings, and we have implemented new policies to ensure that those clients that do have to attend our office for signing appointment can do so in a safe environment.

We have had several clients contact us with questions about upcoming Property Tax payments, so we felt it could be helpful to provide a quick summary:


City of Kelowna: The City confirmed that the 2020 property taxes remain due July 2, 2020, but they will waive the 10% late payment penalty for property tax payments until September 1, 2020 to allow some relief to property owners. However, they strongly urge that if owners can pay as planned, that they do so. Property owners that have automatic monthly payments for property taxes can also put these payments on hold starting April 7 through August 31, 2020.

City of West Kelowna, WFN, District of Peachland and District of Lake Country: No announcement yet regarding a postponement of payment or waiver of penalties for the 2020 property taxes. Property taxes remain due July 2, 2020, and penalties will apply for late payments. We will keep you updated if changes to this are announced.  

Additionally, we suspect amidst the COVID-19 turmoil some clients may have failed to submit their declaration for the Speculation and Vacancy Tax that was due March 31, 2020. This will result in a tax notice being sent out charging the property owner the maximum tax rate. However, you can still complete your declaration to claim an exemption online before the tax becomes due July 2, 2020. You can find further information and submit your declaration online here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/speculation-vacancy-tax

**Special Note: as of April 1, 2020 the BC Land Title Office and BC Law Society have now temporarily amended their rules to allow lawyers to witness the signing of real estate documents over video conferencing for clients unable to attend their signing appointments due to unsafe or impossible circumstances related to COVID-19 medical reasons. If you think this may apply to any of your clients, please have them reach out to us so we can discuss this option further.

Thank you for reading. For general inquiries please “Connect”

The information provided in this blog is meant to be just that, information. This is information is not intended to replace the advice of a lawyer or to address the law as it pertains to your situation specifically. Be sure to contact a legal professional should you have any questions or concerns.

Connect