Proof of principal residence: documents BC STR hosts should organize.

Why proof of principal residence matters

BC's Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act (SRTAA) restricts short-term rentals to a host's principal residence. When an operator registers with the provincial STR registry, they are affirming that the property they are registering meets this requirement. If a compliance audit, a neighbour complaint, or a platform review ever puts that claim in question, having organized, credible documentation to support it becomes important.

The time to organize these documents is before an issue arises: not after. Hosts who cannot demonstrate that a property is their principal residence face compliance risk even if the property genuinely is their home.

Documents that support a principal residence claim

No single document definitively establishes principal residence, and the Province has not published a fixed list of required evidence. However, the following documents are commonly understood to support a claim that a property is your primary home:

Government-issued identification

• BC driver's licence or BC ID card reflecting the property address
• BC Services Card (CareCard) with the property address
• Canadian passport (not address-specific, but establishes identity as the host)

Property and ownership records

• Land title certificate showing you as the registered owner
• BC Assessment property assessment notice (mailed to your property address each January)
• Strata records or leasehold documents, if applicable

Tax and financial records

• Most recent personal income tax return (T1 General) with this property as your home address
• Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency reflecting this address
• Home Owner Grant application records (if applicable): the grant requires principal residence status

Utility and service records

• Utility bills (BC Hydro, FortisBC, water) in your name at the property address
• Internet service invoice at the property address
• Bank statements (with non-financial information visible) reflecting the property address

BC Assessment and principal residence

BC Assessment maintains property assessment records for every property in BC. The property classification on your assessment notice can be relevant: a property classified as a residential property and assessed as an owner-occupied home is generally more consistent with principal residence status than one assessed differently. For more on BC Assessment and what the annual cycle means for STR operators, see our article on BC Assessment dates.

ParcelMap BC and property verification

ParcelMap BC, operated by the Land Title and Survey Authority of BC, provides a publicly accessible mapping system that shows parcel boundaries, ownership, and legal descriptions. While it is not a primary proof-of-residence tool, it can be useful for verifying property details, confirming land title, and providing documentation that supports the ownership component of a principal residence claim.

How long to keep these documents

There is no fixed retention period specifically for STR compliance records under the SRTAA. As a general principle, keeping records for a minimum of three years after the period they relate to is a reasonable approach: consistent with typical tax record-keeping norms. For more on STR record-keeping generally, see: STR audit-ready records: what BC hosts should keep and how to organize them.

What to do if your documents are inconsistent

If your driver's licence, tax filings, and utility bills all reflect different addresses, it may be difficult to establish a clear principal residence. This situation should be resolved before registering and listing: not after a compliance issue is raised. Consult the appropriate government offices to update your records, and review your eligibility with a qualified professional if needed.

For a broader overview of the eligibility questions that affect BC STR operators, visit our Compliance page or contact us directly.