Secondary suites continue to be an affordable housing option for Metro Vancouver area residents, benefitting home owners as mortgage helpers and tenants as a less expensive roof over their heads.
Secondary suites are so prevalent that Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation estimates there are now about 101,808 accessory suites in the Metro Vancouver region.
“With so many suites in our area, it’s important to remind home owners to let their insurer know about a suite and to buy insurance to cover the suite,” says REBGV member David Chambers, a licensed REALTOR® and a licensed insurance agent, and vice-president of Chambers Olson Insurance in Vancouver.
“Whether the suite is legal or illegal, having insurance coverage is vital,” says Chambers who notes there is a misconception among home owners that their existing policy will cover a suite. “It doesn’t,” says Chambers.
A home owner who doesn’t tell their insurer about a suite and that there are two households living in the home, opens themselves up to significant risk.
"An unreported and uninsured suite could potentially void the existing insurance contract on the primary residence if there is a flood or a fire,” explains Chambers.
Some home owners may not properly insure their property because of fear that their insurer will report the suite to the local municipality. “This isn’t true,” says Chambers. “However, we always advise our clients to comply with local bylaws and report and register the suite with the local municipality.”
How much will insurance cost? “About 10% of the cost of your total home insurance. So if you’re paying $1,200, it will cost you an additional $120,” says Chambers.
Home owners who rent their secondary suite can also buy separate comprehensive rental insurance. Depending on the insurer and on the policy, this can cover vandalism and damage by tenants, typically up to a payout maximum limit of $5,000. This insurance doesn’t cover the tenant’s belongings. The tenant has to buy their own insurance for their possessions.
Home owners with laneway homes, coach homes above garages and other authorized or unauthorized accommodation on their property should also let their insurer know and should buy appropriate coverage.
REALTORS® like Sanjin Cvetkovic always advise clients buying property with suites to find out beforehand whether the property is insurable.
“If your client can’t get insurance, it could void the contract,” notes Chambers.
The British Columbia government announced earlier today that you can now bring your own wine to a restaurant. The reaction by potential patrons has been tremendous and slowly a list of restaurants participating under the Bring Your Own Wine law are starting to emerge. We will constantly update this list. Consider it your go to list if you ever want to see if a restaurant is allowing you to bring your own bottle of wine.
Bring Your Own Wine Vancouver Restaurant List
Al Porto Ristorante, 321 Water Street
Corkage Fee: $25
Au Petit Chavignol, 843 East Hastings Street
Corkage Fee: $20
Blue Water Restaurant, 1095 Hamilton Street
Corkage Fee: $35
Cache Bistro & Lounge, 1269 Hamilton Street
Corkage Fee: $20
Cafeteria, 2702 Main Street
Corkage Fee: Unknown
Chambar, 562 Beatty Street
Corkage Fee: $25
CinCin Ristorante, 1154 Robson Street
Corkage Fee: $35
El Caminos, 3250 Main Street
East of Main Cafe, 223 E. Georgia
Corkage Fee: $20 corkage fee
Fable, 1944 West 4th avenue
Corkage Fee: $20
Fish Cafe, 2053 West 41st Ave
Corkage Fee: $20
Fray on Fraser, 3980 Fraser Street
$5 corkage fee
Gramercy Grill, 2685 Arbutus Street
Corkage fee: $20
Habit, 2610 Main Street
Corkage Fee: N/A
Hapa Izakaya (Multiple locations)
Corkage Fee: $20
Joe Fortes, 777 Thurlow Street
L’Abattoir, 217 Carrall Street
Corkage Fee: $25 corkage fee
La Bucca, 4025 Macdonald Street
Corkage Fee: Unknown
Le Parisien, 751 Denman Street
Corkage Fee: $20
Martini’s Pizza, 151 West Broadway
Corkage Fee: $12
Max’s Burgers, 521 West Broadway
Corkage Fee: $10 corkage fee (No corkage fee on Tuesdays)
Memphis Blues BBQ (All locations)
Corkage Fee: $15
NOVO Pizzeria, 2118 Burrard Street
Corkage Fee: Unknown
Pied a Terre, 3369 Cambie Street
Corkage Fee: $25
Pink E Thai, 1152 Alberni Street
Corkage Fee: $12
Q4 Ristorante 2563 West Broadway
Corkage Fee: $30
Salade de Fruits, 1551 W 7th Ave
Corkage Fee: $14
Siena on 12th, 1485 West 12th Ave
Corkage Fee: $20
Thai House 1116 Robson Street and 1766 W. 7th ave
Corkage Fee: $12 corkage fee
The Boathouse at Kits Beach, 1305 Arbutus Street
Corkage Fee: $20
The Cascade Room, 2616 Main Street
The Union, 219 Union Street
Urban Thai 1119 Hamilton Street
Corkage Fee: $12 corkage fee
Verace Pizzeria, 189 Keefer
Corkage fee: $10 corkage fee (No corkage fee on Wine Wednesdays)
Via Tevere Pizzeria, 1190 Victoria Drive
Corkage Fee: $20
Vera’s Burger (Multiple locations)
Corkage fee: $2
West Restaurant, 2881 Granville Street
Corkage Fee: $38 corkage fee
White Spot (multiple locations)
Corkage Fee: $10
Cotto Enoteca, 6011 Hastings Street
Corkage Fee: $20
EBO Restaurant, 4331 Dominion Street at The Delta Burnaby
Corkage Fee: $20
Romana’s Pizza, 4660 Hastings Street
Corkage Fee: Unknown
Dundarave Fish Market, 2423 Marine Drive
Corkage Fee: $40
Thai House, 116 W. Esplanade
Corkage Fee: $12 corkage fee
Tapenade Bistro, 3711 Bayview Street
Corkage Fee: $25 corkage fee
Thai House, 129-4940 No.3 Road Richmond
Corkage Fee: $12
The Keg Langley, 9020 202 Street (also all other Keg locations)
Corkage Fee: $20
Araxi, 4222 Village Square
Corkage Fee: $35
Alta Bistro, 104-4319 Main Street
Corkage Fee: $50 corkage fee
Bearfoot Bistro, 4121 Village Green
Corkage Fee: $65
Ricardo’s Mediterranean Grill, 415 Commonwealth Road
Corkage Fee: Unknown
Cabin 12, 3111 Cedar Hill Road
Corkage Fee: $8.50
Missions Springs Brewing Company, 7160 Oliver Street
Corkage Fee: $10, Corkage Fee if Wine is purchased at their Connected Liquor Store – $2.00
Mondays –Cork Free Monday s- BYOW on Mondays and we waive the Cork Fee
What do you think about this incentive by BC government?
You still need to pay corkage fee which, at some restaurants, equals regular bottle price. I think if you are bringing expensive wine to compliment your dinner it might be a cool thing to do.