Do BC strata buyers need a lawyer or a notary?

Direct answer

Either a BC lawyer or a BC notary public can complete a routine residential conveyance, and both can register the transfer at the Land Title Office. Notaries are regulated by the Society of Notaries Public of BC and lawyers by the Law Society of BC; both handle title transfers, prepare the statement of adjustments and disburse funds on completion. The practical differences come down to two things. (1) Scope: notaries cannot represent a client in litigation, draft complex contracts beyond standard residential, give legal advice on non-conveyancing matters, or appear in court; lawyers can. For a routine resale single-family or strata transaction with no unusual issues (no litigation, no estate complications, no commercial component, no foreign-buyer structuring), a notary is fully sufficient. On a routine file either one typically charges about $1,500 to $2,000, which is what my buyers typically pay, plus disbursements. Choose a lawyer for a contested estate, a family law overlay, builders' lien risk, a pre-incorporation transfer, land in the Agricultural Land Reserve, mixed commercial and residential use, foreign-buyer structuring or an assignment; expect more than that, plus disbursements. (2) Cost: on a routine file expect the same quote from either. Ask for the quote in writing, since the disbursements move the total more than the fee does. What is not a difference is insurance: both carry mandatory professional liability cover through their own regulator, so the choice does not change how protected you are. Ask your realtor whether your transaction has any of those complications before you choose, because a notary cannot act on them and you would have to switch to a lawyer partway through.