Renters To Get More Protection

The BC government has announced plans to provide stronger protection for renters.

Housing Minister Selina Robinson says new legislation will close a major loophole in fixed-term leases, meaning renters will be protected against massive rate hikes at the end of a lease.

“This is what is what considered a retrospective amendment so existing will roll into. They can’t use the vacate clause in existing contracts. We have one and a half million renters in this provinces, and they need protections right now,” says Robinson.

David Hutniak from Landlord BC says they want to see an end of this practice.

“Landlords who are abusing this form of tenancy are damaging our industry, and really their behaviour is unfair to responsible and professional landlords, so we are very supportive of the change,” Hutniak told a news conference.

Another change will streamline the dispute resolution process for the return of security deposits.

If a landlord doesn’t return a security deposit, a tenant will be able to apply for a monetary order through an expedited process.

“This will ensure that tenants get their deposits back more quickly – three weeks instead of waiting up to six months,” says a government release.

Pictured: Selina Robinson, BC Housing Minister