Where a landlord refuses to allow a commercial tenant to take possession of the demised premises, the tenant may:
Option (3) is correct because there is an implied covenant on the part of a commercial landlord to let the tenant into possession of the leased premises and, if they do not do so, they will be liable for damages.
Option (1) is incorrect because a commercial tenant cannot get an order for specific performance in these circumstances due to the common law doctrine of interesse termini, which provides that no estate in land passes until the tenant takes possession.
Option (2) is incorrect because quiet enjoyment relates to the tenant’s ability to use and enjoy the premises for all usual purposes without interference or unreasonable disturbance from the landlord, which would apply once the tenant is already in possession of the premises.
Option (4) is incorrect because the tenant would be entitled to sue the landlord for damages. [Chapter 6]
Which one of the following is FALSE with respect to the estimate of vacancy rates in the appraisal of income-producing properties?
Option (2) is correct (false) because the vacancy allowance should be determined by the long-term vacancy rates in the area; that is, the vacancies in comparable buildings modified, if necessary, by expected future trends.
Options (1), (3), and (4) are incorrect because they are true. [Chapter 23]
When a judge in the British Columbia Supreme Court exercises equitable jurisdiction:
Option (2) is correct because specific performance and injunctions are equitable remedies available at the discretion of the court.
Option (1) is incorrect because a judge cannot refuse to apply a law which is unfair.
Option (3) is incorrect because in the common law system of British Columbia, judges may refer to common law and statute law, but not to a code to ascertain the law.
Option (4) is incorrect because a judge cannot refuse to apply any law which is unfair, and cannot refer to a code to ascertain the law. [Chapter 1]
Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding GST in a transaction for the sale of real estate?
Option (1) is correct because payment of the deposit is generally not subject to GST until closing occurs, at which time the full amount of the sale price (including the deposit) becomes taxable.
Option (2) is incorrect because no GST applies to reimbursements for prepayments.
Option (3) is incorrect because under section 165(1) of the Excise Tax Act, the buyer (the “recipient”) has the obligation to pay the GST.
Option (4) is incorrect because only amounts on the statements of adjustments that are legally components of the purchase price are subject to GST. [Chapter 19]
Which of the following correctly lists goods from the LEAST amount of shopping effort required to the MOST amount of shopping effort required?
Option (3) is correct because the shopping behaviour model classifies products and services based on the amount of effort that a consumer is willing to go through to obtain that product or service. In order of the amount of effort required by the consumer, from the least effort to the most effort, the goods are unsought goods, convenience goods, shopping goods, and specialty goods.
Options (1), (2), and (4) are incorrect for this reason. [Chapter 25]
Conditions precedent are usually included in contracts of purchase and sale to protect the buyer. However, since conditions precedent can also be abused by buyers, a seller must be protected when a condition precedent is being included in a contract of purchase and sale. Which of the following additions to the contract of purchase and sale is NOT a valid method of protecting a seller’s interests?
Option (2) is correct because it is in the buyer’s (not the seller’s) best interests to incorporate a Property Disclosure Statement (PDS) into the contract of purchase and sale. Doing so incorporates the warranties made by the seller in the PDS into the contract of purchase and sale, which allows the buyer to sue the seller for breach of contract if such warranties are breached.
Option (1) is incorrect because it allows the seller to review the buyer’s progress with regards to the fulfilment of the condition and decide whether or not to extend the time limit or to terminate the agreement.
Option (3) is incorrect because if such a covenant is inserted into the contract of purchase and sale, and the buyer does not use his or her best efforts to satisfy the specific condition, the seller can sue the buyer for breach of contract.
Option (4) is incorrect because a including a 72-hour “time clause” allows the seller to demand that the buyer remove the condition precedent within 72 hours in the event that the seller receives another offer. If the buyer fails to do so, then the seller can accept the other offer.
[Chapter 11]
Which of the following statements about periodic tenancies is TRUE?
Option (4) is correct because fixed-term residential tenancies automatically convert to a month-to-month periodic tenancy unless the parties have agreed in writing otherwise.
Option (1) is incorrect because the resulting periodic tenancy does not include a rent increase of ten percent.
Option (2) is incorrect because if the rent was expressed yearly, the new implied tenancy would be from year-to-year.
Option (3) is incorrect because a periodic commercial tenancy can be terminated by either party by giving “reasonable” notice to the other.
[Chapter 6]
Which of the following statements regarding the income approach of appraisal is TRUE?
Option (3) is correct because it is true.
Option (1) is incorrect because the net operating income represents a return on the entire value of the property; it is not a return only on the equity portion of the property’s value.
Option (2) is incorrect because items specific to an owner or investor are NOT included in the calculation of net operating income.
Option (4) is incorrect because the income approach can be used in appraising most types of property, although it is more appropriate for properties that produce rental income, e.g., apartment buildings, office buildings, industrial space.
[Chapter 23]
Which of the following is an example of an action that a criminal may take during the placement stage of the money-laundering process?
Option (1) is correct because it is an action taken during the placement stage, meant to avoid drawing the attention of financial institutions which would take note of unusually large cash deposits.
Options (2) and (4) are incorrect because they are actions taken during the layering stage of the money-laundering process, meant to increase complexity and conceal the criminal origins of the proceeds.
Option (3) is incorrect because it is an action taken during the integration stage. The sale of real estate will provide proceeds which appear to have been legally earned from investment. [Chapter 5]
Helen is the owner and occupier of a detached 2-bedroom house in Vancouver. Which of the following statements regarding property taxes on Helen’s property is FALSE?
Option (1) is correct (false) because there is no single statute law governing the real property tax system in BC. The Assessment Act is one of the sources of property law, but not the only source.
Option (2) is incorrect (true) since Helen, as the registered owner, is no longer living in the Vancouver property, she is not eligible for the basic home owner grant, even though she might have been eligible for the home owner grant when she did live in her Vancouver home.
Option (3) is incorrect (true); if a property has been incorrectly assessed, anyone, including a municipal council, can file an appeal to the Property Assessment Review Panels under the Assessment Act.
Option (4) is incorrect (true); Helen is qualified for a special assessment on her property because she has lived continuously in that home for more than 10 years, and the property was zoned for a higher use.
[Chapter 19]
A property recently sold for $378,500. The stabilized net operating income for the property was estimated to be $75,700 per annum. The estimated yield to the buyer is:
Find the yield to the purchaser given the stabilized net operating income and the sale price of the property.
yield-3.JPG
= $75,700 ÷ $378,500
= 0.20
The yield to the purchaser is 20%. [Chapter 23]
Which of the following statements regarding manufactured home registration is FALSE?
Option (4) is correct because a manufactured home is not required to be registered. Option (1) is incorrect because under section 7 of the Manufactured Home Act, the transfer is not effective, except between the parties to the transfer, unless both the home and the transfer are registered.
Option (2) is incorrect because the Manufactured Home Act prohibits any person from importing into British Columbia unless ownership is registered.
Option (3) is incorrect because the registrar will assign a manufactured home a registration number upon satisfactory completion of the initial registration, and issue two decals bearing that number.
[Chapter 4]
The “subject of an appraisal” is:
Option (4) is correct because an appraisal values the legal rights of ownership vested in a particular piece of real estate.
Options (1), (2), and (3) are incorrect as they do not describe the subject of an appraisal.
[Chapter 21]
Which of the following is NOT a significant characteristic of improved land?
Option (3) is correct because ownership can be divided. Options (1), (2), and (4) are significant characteristics of improved land. [Chapter 21]
Jacob hires Choo Choo Contracting (“Choo Choo”), a general contractor, to renovate his living room to better display his model train collection. Choo Choo subcontracts Jennifer, an electrician, to install the specialized electrical connections. After Jennifer completes the work, but before she has been paid, Choo Choo suddenly goes out of business. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
Option (1) is correct because a builders lien must be filed at the Land Title Office within the lien filing period, which is 45 days after certain “trigger dates” specified in the Builders Lien Act (the “BLA”).
Option (2) is incorrect because liens may still be filed after ownership of a property is transferred, as long as the lien filing deadline has not passed. The buyer may potentially be liable for any builders liens that are filed even after the completion of their purchase.
Option (3) is incorrect because subcontractors engaged by a general contractor may file builders liens.
Option (4) is incorrect because the BLA requires lien claimants to begin a lawsuit and file a CPL within one year, unless the owner serves a Form 6, in which case the lien claimant must begin a lawsuit and file a CPL within 21 days. [Chapter 4]
The obligation to identify a client under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act is triggered when:
Answer explanation: Option (1) is correct because the “Know Your Client” obligation to identify a party in a real estate transaction is triggered by a large cash transaction. A large cash transaction is defined as a transaction in which a licensee receives $10,000 or more in cash in a single transaction, or multiple payments of cash that add up to $10,000 or more in a 24-hour period.
Option (2) is incorrect because licensees must identify the individual or entity when a purchase and sale of real estate occurs.
Option (3) is incorrect because while licensees who receive funds from any person in any form must identify the party, an exception exists when funds are received from a financial entity or a public body.
Option (4) is incorrect because the licensee must have reasonable grounds to suspect that the financial transaction is related to the commission or attempted commission of a money laundering or terrorist financing offence. [Chapter 5]
Where a deposit is paid directly to a seller on account of the purchase price:
Option (4) is correct because the deposit paid directly to the seller will reduce the cash proceeds to be received by the seller upon completion, which is reflected as a debit, and will reduce the balance due from the buyer to complete, which is reflected as a credit.
Options (1) and (3) are incorrect because the amount of the deposit will appear both on the buyer’s and seller’s statements of adjustments.
Option (2) is incorrect because the amount will appear as a credit on the buyer’s statement and a debit on the seller’s statement.
[Chapter 24]
Martha, who has been George’s landlord for the past three months, has seized George’s furniture from his rented premises and threatens to sell the furniture in order to pay George’s arrears of rent. Which one of the following statements is FALSE?
Option (4) is correct because private nuisance typically occurs where an owner or occupier of land unreasonably and substantially interferes with the reasonable use and enjoyment of a neighbouring property.
Option (1) is incorrect because section 26(3) of the Residential Tenancy Act abolishes the remedy of distress in residential tenancies.
Option (2) is incorrect because “distraint” or “distress” means a seizure and sale of the tenant’s personal property to recover arrears of rent.
Option (3) is incorrect because a commercial landlord can exercise the remedy of distress, which is often the most effective remedy available to the landlord. [Chapter 6]
ABC Loan Co. (ABC) has agreed to lend $2 million dollars to Devco Ltd. in exchange for a registered first mortgage against Devco’s current residential construction project. The loan is to be paid out in four equal instalments over a five month period, but all payments are at the discretion of ABC under the “advances” clause in the mortgage. The first instalment has been paid and it is now time to pay out the second instalment. ABC has discovered that a builder’s lien has been filed against Devco’s property. You correctly advise ABC that:
Option (2) is correct because the Builders Lien Act (the “BLA”) gives priority to the lien over a mortgage as of the date the lien is filed in the Land Title Office. Therefore, the lien claimant has priority over any advances made by a registered mortgage lender after the lien registration date.
Option (1) is incorrect because the advances clause states that all payments are made at the discretion of ABC, so it would not be a breach of the mortgage contract to refuse to pay the second installment.
Option (3) is incorrect because the lien takes priority over all subsequent advancements of funds due to the operation of the BLA. Option (4) is incorrect because Option (2) is correct. [Chapter 15]
At the end of a profitable year, a business’s ownership has decided to leave all these profits in the business. Which one of the following BEST describes the effect that profitable operations have on the balance sheet of a business?
Option (1) is correct because When a company generates a profit (positive net income), the result is an increase in the owner’s or shareholder’s equity. Option (2) is incorrect because assets may increase or decrease depending on the company’s cash flow and asset purchase/sale activity.
Option (3) is incorrect because cash may increase or decrease depending on the company’s cash flow activities.
Option (4) is incorrect because liabilities may increase or decrease depending on the company’s borrowing and repayment activities. [Chapter 8]
Consider a building for which a strata plan was filed in August of 2011. In the event that the building is destroyed and the strata corporation passes a resolution not to rebuild, how will the proceeds of any insurance policy be distributed?
Option (4) is correct because the Strata Property Act applies to strata plans deposited on or after July 1, 2000, replacing the Schedule of Interest on Destruction which was used under previous legislation. Section 273 and 278 of the Act provide for a “conversion schedule” or “interest schedule” that will be employed to determine the distribution of the proceeds in the event that a strata complex is destroyed and the owners decide to take the insurance money instead of rebuilding.
Option (1) is incorrect because the value of each strata lot is different and therefore it would be unfair to distribute insurance policy proceeds equally between all owners.
Options (2) and (3) are incorrect because they are based on unit entitlement, which is similar to the Schedule of Interest on Destruction, which is only used for strata plans deposited prior to July 1, 2000. [Chapter 7]
Which of the following would NOT be included in a statement of profit and loss?
Option (3) is correct because current liabilities are only listed on the balance sheet. They would not show up on the statement of profit and loss, which is also known as the income statement.
Options (1), (2), and (4) are incorrect because the income statement shows revenues and expenses, such as depreciation, rental revenue, and interest expense on a mortgage. [Chapter 8]
RE/LAX Realty Inc. has ended the current year with a net income of $234,000. During the year, RE/LAX issued $14,000 in dividends, incurred $112,000 of operating expenses, and paid $15,000 in taxes. Which of the following MOST likely occurred on RE/LAX’s balance sheet?
Retained Earnings = NOI - DIVIDENDS
Option (4) is correct because changes to retained earnings are calculated by taking the amount of net income less any dividends paid to shareholders. RE/LAX earned a net income of $234,000 and paid $14,000 in dividends; therefore, the retained earnings account on their balance sheet should increase by $220,000.
Option (1) is therefore incorrect.
Options (2) and (3) are also incorrect because net income and revenue comes from the income statement rather than the balance sheet. [Chapter 8]
Under which one of the following conditions is the comparative approach of appraisal MOST applicable?
Option (2) is correct because the comparative approach of appraisal is most appropriate where buyers and sellers are well informed about current sales transactions.
Options (1) and (3) are incorrect because the comparative approach of appraisal is applicable when there is sufficient recent sales data of similar properties, and the property does not have redevelopment potential.
Option (4) is incorrect because under the comparative approach, a property’s value should not exceed the cost of purchasing an alternative property that can provide similar utility. Therefore, it may not be appropriate if a property is unique.
[Chapter 21]