From the Real Estate Council of British Columbia:
Quote:
Stigmatized or Psychologically Impacted Properties
Sometimes when dealing in real estate, the onus will be on you, the buyer, to ask questions regarding issues of specific importance to you and your family, rather than relying on a real estate licensee to try to anticipate all of your needs.
If, as a potential buyer, you are concerned about the less obvious structural and mechanical aspects of a property, you can have a property inspection done. However, consumers may have other areas of concern that would cause them to avoid a property. Certain events may cause a property to be described as a “stigmatized property” or a “psychologically impacted property”. These terms are sometimes applied to a property that has had some circumstance occur in or near it, but which does not specifically affect the appearance or function of the property itself.
Examples of these in a residential context might include:- a sexual offender is reported to live in the neighbourhood;
- a former resident was suspected of being an organized crime
- gang member;
- a death occurred in the property;
- the property was robbed or vandalized; and
- there are reports that the property is haunted.
British Columbia law does not define stigmatized properties. It also does not require sellers or licensees who represent them to disclose circumstances which some may be considered to be stigmas. Buyers are advised to carefully consider the areas of concern they have, discuss them with their licensee, and ensure the necessary inquiries are made to avoid purchasing a property they will not feel comfortable living in.
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Based on that it looks like it is up to the buyer to ask prior to closing the purchase if that is something that would concern them.