What Happens If My House Gets Foreclosed While I’m Living In It?
What Happens If My House Gets Foreclosed While I’m Living In It?
Dec
11, 2025
What Happens If My House Gets Foreclosed While I’m Living In It?
Many homeowners in British Columbia stay in their home during the entire foreclosure process. That often leads to the same question: what actually happens if the house is foreclosed while you are still living there?
If you own a home in Surrey, Langley, Delta, White Rock, Abbotsford, or anywhere in the Fraser Valley, this guide explains what to expect, how much time you usually have, and how to avoid being forced out at the last minute.
This is information, not legal advice. Always speak with a lawyer about your specific situation.
Staying In Your Home During Foreclosure
In most BC foreclosure cases, you are allowed to stay in your home while the process works through the court. That usually includes:
The period of missed payments.
The demand letter stage.
The Petition for Foreclosure being filed.
The redemption period, if one is granted.
You do not usually have to move out the moment foreclosure starts. The key question is what happens when the property is actually sold.
What Changes Once the Court Approves a Sale?
In many BC foreclosures, the court eventually approves an offer through an Order Approving Sale. That order:
Sets the terms of the sale.
Sets the completion date.
Often sets the possession or vacancy date.
Once the sale completes and title transfers to the new owner, your right to stay in the home ends. At that point, you are expected to move out by the dates in the court order and sale contract.
Do You Have to Move Out Immediately?
Not usually. There is almost always a gap between:
The date the court approves the sale.
The completion and possession date.
This gap gives you time to:
Confirm your move-out date.
Arrange new housing.
Book movers and organize your belongings.
If you do not move out by the agreed date, the new owner can ask the court to enforce possession. That may lead to a bailiff attending the property, which you want to avoid.
Will Someone Show Up Without Warning?
In a typical BC foreclosure, you receive advance notice through:
Court documents.
Lawyer letters.
Closing dates in the sale paperwork.
It is rare for a lawful lockout to happen with no notice at all. Sudden lockouts usually follow a period where notices were ignored or misunderstood.
What About Utilities and Insurance While You Are Still There?
Until completion:
You are usually still responsible for utilities.
You should keep insurance in place to protect your belongings.
The lender may add insurance to protect the building if your policy lapses, then add the cost to what you owe.
If you are unsure who should be paying what, speak with your lawyer or the lender’s lawyer as early as possible.
Can You Still Sell While Living There?
Yes, in many cases you can still sell your home while living in it, even after foreclosure has started. This is often the smartest move if:
You still have equity.
The home is in reasonable condition.
You act before the court approves a final sale.
Selling before the court controls the process usually:
Protects more equity.
Gives you clearer move-out dates.
Reduces the risk of a forced lockout.
What If You Refuse to Leave?
If you refuse to leave after the sale completes and possession has been granted:
The new owner can apply to the court to enforce possession.
A court order can authorize a bailiff to remove occupants.
Your belongings may need to be collected under pressure or tight timelines.
This is stressful and avoidable in most situations. Planning your move early is a much better path.
How to Handle Things If You Are Still Living There
If you are still in the home during foreclosure:
Stay on top of all letters and court documents.
Write down key dates for hearings, completion, and possession.
Speak with a lawyer so you understand your rights and obligations.
Start planning where you will move next, even if things still feel uncertain.
Waiting until the last moment makes everything harder.
How Mansour Real Estate Group Helps
If your home is in foreclosure and you are still living in it, you do not have to wait for the court to decide your future. We help by:
Determining your home’s current market value and equity.
Advising whether a voluntary sale makes sense in your situation.
Listing and marketing the home while you still live there, in a respectful and structured way.
Coordinating timing with your lender and lawyer so your move-out lines up with closing, not chaos.
Our goal is to help you move on your terms, with as much equity and dignity as possible, instead of waiting for a forced outcome.
About Mansour Real Estate Group
The Mansour Real Estate Group, led by Mohamed Mansour, MBA and Associate Broker, is a top performing real estate team in the Fraser Valley. With more than 21 years of experience and over $750 million in completed sales, the group is trusted for divorce, estate, downsizing, and family related property transactions across Surrey, Langley, Delta, White Rock, and Abbotsford.
