Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
National

Task Force Says Base B.C. Rent Hikes On Inflation, Same As In Manitoba, Ontario

The Canadian Press, 24 Sep, 2018 12:36 PM
    VANCOUVER — A task force examining the heated issue of annual rent increases that are permitted in British Columbia has recommended the hikes be reduced and tied only to inflation.
     
     
    Task force chairman and NDP member of the legislature Spencer Chandra Herbert says the province should scrap the current model of calculating rent increases which allows landlords an annual hike of two per cent plus the inflation rate.
     
    The recommendations also call on the government to require landlords to apply for additional rent increases if they can prove maintenance and other costs can't be covered by the inflation-based increase alone.
     
     
    Chandra Herbert says the recommendations are based on a model that is successfully used in Ontario and Manitoba.
     
     
    He says rent increases are an issue across the province, with tenants concerned about affordability and landlords saying they need extra money to improve their rental homes.
     
     
    The recommendations follow months of public consultations in various communities and are the first from a full report to be forwarded to the government this fall.
     
     
    "We believe this strikes the balance between the need for affordability for renters and the need to maintain properties," says Chandra Herbert. "People were clear to us: they understand costs do go up but they also need to be able to afford them."
     
     
    Chandra Herbert says further recommendations in the full report are expected to include manufactured home parks and problem tenants and landlords.
     
     
    He says consultations revealed some people were struggling with rental increases while living in homes without hydro and one landlord's unit had incurred $700,000 in damage.
     
     
    The Housing Ministry says the task force recommends more work be done with landlord and tenant groups to determine the criteria for reviewing landlord applications for increases above the inflation rate.
     
     
    It says a decision will be made on the early recommendations before Oct. 1.
     
     
    Premier John Horgan and Housing Minister Selina Robinson appointed the task force in April, and it consists of two New Democrat members of the legislature and one from the Green party.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Manitoba RCMP Officer In Serious Condition After Being Shot; 3 Suspects Arrested

    An RCMP officer was shot and seriously injured while responding to a break-and-enter call near a small resort town in western Manitoba, prompting an hours-long hunt for four suspects who split up and left the area.

    Manitoba RCMP Officer In Serious Condition After Being Shot; 3 Suspects Arrested

    Surrey RCMP Concerned For Well-Being Of Missing 12-Year-Old AIDAN ZAFREEN DYCK

    Surrey RCMP Concerned For Well-Being Of Missing 12-Year-Old AIDAN ZAFREEN DYCK
    Aidan Zafreen DYCK was last seen at 1:30 pm on August 29, 2018 in the 10300 block of 152nd St in Surrey. She has not been seen or heard from since.

    Surrey RCMP Concerned For Well-Being Of Missing 12-Year-Old AIDAN ZAFREEN DYCK

    Surrey RCMP Officer Dario Devic Pleads Guilty To Breach Of Trust After Creep Catchers Sting

    Surrey RCMP Officer Dario Devic Pleads Guilty To Breach Of Trust After Creep Catchers Sting
    Surrey RCMP Constable who was charged after a Creep Catchers sting two years ago, has pleaded guilty to one of the charges against him.

    Surrey RCMP Officer Dario Devic Pleads Guilty To Breach Of Trust After Creep Catchers Sting

    Federal Court Of Appeal Quashes Approval Of Trans Mountain Expansion

    Federal Court Of Appeal Quashes Approval Of Trans Mountain Expansion
    The Federal Court of Appeal has quashed Ottawa's approval of the contentious Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

    Federal Court Of Appeal Quashes Approval Of Trans Mountain Expansion

    Burnaby RCMP Warn The Public Of Sextortion Scams Using Explicit Videos

    Burnaby RCMP Warn The Public Of Sextortion Scams Using Explicit Videos
    Police are warning the public after a rise in incidents in Burnaby, B.C., involving sextortion.

    Burnaby RCMP Warn The Public Of Sextortion Scams Using Explicit Videos

    Significant Court Decision Could Determine Trans Mountain's Fate: Experts

    Significant Court Decision Could Determine Trans Mountain's Fate: Experts
    VANCOUVER — A court decision expected Thursday could determine the fate of the contentious Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and further define Canada's duty to consult with First Nations, experts say.

    Significant Court Decision Could Determine Trans Mountain's Fate: Experts