Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 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

    'I Came To The Realization That I Was A Missing Person:' Man Who Disappeared On Ski Trip

    'I Came To The Realization That I Was A Missing Person:' Man Who Disappeared On Ski Trip
    His annual ski trip to Lake Placid, N.Y., with colleagues from Toronto Fire Services was drawing to a close when he realized he'd forgotten to bring a camera to the lodge where he was unwinding with friends about half-way up Whiteface Mountain.

    'I Came To The Realization That I Was A Missing Person:' Man Who Disappeared On Ski Trip

    Athletes, Pro Video Game Players Not So Different: Esport Insiders

    Athletes, Pro Video Game Players Not So Different: Esport Insiders
    From horse riding to weight lifting and soccer to sailing, what is defined as "sports" includes a broad variety of activities. But whether professional video gaming falls under that wide umbrella remains up for debate.

    Athletes, Pro Video Game Players Not So Different: Esport Insiders

    Millions On The Line At Professional Video Game Competition In Vancouver

    Millions On The Line At Professional Video Game Competition In Vancouver
    When thousands of fans pack Vancouver's Rogers Arena this weekend, it won't be a hockey player or a musical superstar they're screaming to see.

    Millions On The Line At Professional Video Game Competition In Vancouver

    'He Kind Of Ripped Off The Band-Aid:' Some Tories Relieved After Maxime Bernier Quits

    HALIFAX — After a bombshell day for the Conservative party, many members attending the annual Tory convention in Halifax expressed quiet relief on Thursday that the long-expected divorce of maverick MP Maxime Bernier from the party was finally out of the way.

    'He Kind Of Ripped Off The Band-Aid:' Some Tories Relieved After Maxime Bernier Quits

    Maxime Bernier Contacted 'Key People' Before Announcing New Party, Source Says

    Maxime Bernier Contacted 'Key People' Before Announcing New Party, Source Says
    Quebec MP Maxime Bernierhad already hit the ground running before Thursday's bombshell announcement that he would quit the Conservatives and launch his own party, a source close to the controversial MP says.  

    Maxime Bernier Contacted 'Key People' Before Announcing New Party, Source Says

    Hamilton Cop Being Investigated In 'Good Samaritan' Death, Watchdog Agency Says

    Hamilton Cop Being Investigated In 'Good Samaritan' Death, Watchdog Agency Says
    MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Ontario's police watchdog says it's investigating a Hamilton police officer in relation to the fatal shooting last year of a young man hailed as a Good Samaritan.

    Hamilton Cop Being Investigated In 'Good Samaritan' Death, Watchdog Agency Says