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Newly Proposed Changes Will Protect Renters and Landlords
August 6, 2024
Newly Proposed Changes Will Protect Renters and Landlords
Bad-faith evictions, lengthy rental disputes and rent increases due to a child being added to the household will be addressed through amendments to the Residential Tenancy Acts (RTA) and the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act (MHPTA), the province has announced. The proposed changes are intended to “close loopholes” used by landlords and tenants alike, said Premier David Eby.
The changes to the RTA and MHPTA address bad faith evictions and unfair rent hikes. Bad faith evictions occur when a landlord does not use the unit for the purpose given in the eviction notice for at least 6 months. For example, if a landlord evicts a tenant for personal use of the rental unit but rents it out for a higher rate instead.
Notable changes to the RTA and MHPTA:
- A landlord must occupy rental unit for 16 months after ending a tenancy – previously 6 months
- Increases amount of notice landlord must provide to tenants for personal occupancy
- Landlords will be required to create eviction notices via web portal when they intend to use the unit for personal purposes, which will allow for post-eviction audits
- The notice period to evict tenants for personal or caretaker use will also increase from 2 months to 3 months. If landlords provide an eviction notice but fail to use the unit for such purpose, they must pay the evicted tenant 12 months’ rent as compensation.
- Prohibits evictions for personal use in rental buildings with five or more units, and evictions with the intention of converting rental units for non-residential uses
- Tenants will have 30 days to dispute an eviction notice – up from 15 days
- Restrict rent increases when a tenant adds a child under 19 to the household – (ie. Can no longer increase rent if a tenant has a baby)
Additionally, the province has added more staff to the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) to help reduce wait time, which have already been reduced by more than 50% according to Premier Eby.
The changes are intended to protect long term renters, and seniors in particular according to Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon.
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Aman Bindra and his team assist clients with all real estate, banking, and business matters, including purchases and sales of real estate and businesses, borrowing and lending, land development and construction, and leasing.
Aman has extensive experience working with individual, business and corporate clients throughout British Columbia. He regularly advises on and prepares agreements relating to land, asset, and share purchases, financings, and construction projects, and he assists with leasing, incorporations, partnerships, corporate reorganizations, and more.
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