Close X
Saturday, November 30, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. Moves To Stop Landlords From Flipping Tenants, Hiking Rent Between Leases

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Oct, 2017 01:44 PM
    VICTORIA — The B.C. government wants to close a loophole that allows landlords to bypass annual rent controls by flipping tenants and imposing larger rent hikes between leases.
     
    Housing Minister Selina Robinson introduced changes to the Residential Tenancy Act in the legislature Thursday that she said would protect renters who have been vulnerable to higher rent increases and housing instability.
     
    She said the act has allowed landlords to impose a vacate clause on leases, forcing renters out of their homes and allowing landlords to exceed rent controls for the next tenant.
     
    "This is unacceptable, and the undue stress and anxiety this caused renters has gone on for far too long," Robinson said.
     
    There are about 1.5 million renters in the province and in Vancouver, vacancy rates hover near zero per cent.
     
    Robinson said the challenges facing renters is not exclusive to Metro Vancouver and is being felt across the province.
     
    Changes to the law would restrict the use of the vacate clause and protect tenants renewing fixed-term agreements so they are covered by rent control, which currently allows increases of two per cent plus inflation. The changes would apply to existing rental agreements, Robinson said.
     
    "This will give renters the security they deserve and help bring integrity to the rental industry, which is good for landlords," she said.
     
    David Hutniak, chief executive officer for LandlordBC, said his organization has condemned the abuse of vacate clauses and fixed-term agreements.
     
    The proposed changes would prevent bad landlords from taking advantage of renters, he said.
     
    "Landlords who are abusing this form of tenancy are damaging our industry and really their behaviour is unfair to responsible and professional landlords," he said.
     
    Andrew Sakamoto, executive director of the Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre, said it receives about 8,000 calls from tenants annually and has noticed a spike in complaints about fixed-term tenancies and vacate clauses in recent years.
     
    "Today represents a huge step forward, towards better balancing the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords," he said. "Prohibiting the vast majority of vacate clauses and doing so retrospectively will go a long way toward improving housing affordability across the province."
     
    Robinson said the law would also streamline the dispute resolution process for the return of security and pet deposits, and ensure tenants would no longer have to wait months to get their money back.
     
    As well, a funding increase for the Residential Tenancy Branch previously announced by the government will increase its ability to enforce laws and go after repeat offenders, Robinson said.
     
    Whether that funding increase has improved wait times for tenants filing complaints is still unclear but Robinson said the government is monitoring the situation.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Dirty Chinese Restaurant Video Game's Release Cancelled After Being Slammed As Racist

    Dirty Chinese Restaurant Video Game's Release Cancelled After Being Slammed As Racist
    The Toronto-area developer of a video game denounced as racist says the product will not be released as planned.

    Dirty Chinese Restaurant Video Game's Release Cancelled After Being Slammed As Racist

    Two Military Members Charged With Sexually Assaulting Other Personnel

    Two Military Members Charged With Sexually Assaulting Other Personnel
    OTTAWA — Two members of the Canadian Forces have been charged with sexually assaulting other military personnel in separate incidents.

    Two Military Members Charged With Sexually Assaulting Other Personnel

    B.C.'s High Court Rejects Discrimination Suit From Victoria Guide Dog Owner

    B.C.'s High Court Rejects Discrimination Suit From Victoria Guide Dog Owner
    Blind Victoria Man Has Lost His Discrimination Complaint In British Columbia's Highest Court

    B.C.'s High Court Rejects Discrimination Suit From Victoria Guide Dog Owner

    B.C. Conservation Service Says 469 Bears Destroyed In B.C. This Year

    B.C. Conservation Service Says 469 Bears Destroyed In B.C. This Year
    VICTORIA — British Columbia's Conservation Officer Service reports more than 20,000 conflicts between humans and wildlife around the province between January and October of this year.

    B.C. Conservation Service Says 469 Bears Destroyed In B.C. This Year

    Mississauga Man Arrested, Pleads Guilty Over Alleged Daesh Plot To Attack Times Square, New York Sub

    Mississauga Man Arrested, Pleads Guilty Over Alleged Daesh Plot To Attack Times Square, New York Sub
    The U.S. Justice Department says Abdulrahman El Bahnasawy was one of three people arrested in New York City in connection with an alleged Islamic State-inspired plot more than a year ago.

    Mississauga Man Arrested, Pleads Guilty Over Alleged Daesh Plot To Attack Times Square, New York Sub

    B.C. Liberal Leadership Race Expected To See Another Addition- Todd Stone, Tuesday

    VICTORIA — British Columbia's Liberal leadership race is expected to expand to eight candidates, with former transportation minister Todd Stone poised to enter the contest.

    B.C. Liberal Leadership Race Expected To See Another Addition- Todd Stone, Tuesday