The City of Vancouver wants the Supreme Court of Canada to weigh in on its proposed bylaw to limit rent hikes when tenancy changes in single-room occupancy (SRO) units.
Vancouver city council approved the policy in 2021, which would have tied rents to a specific SRO unit rather than its tenant. The bylaw would have held increases to the rate of inflation on units priced at $500 more, or inflation plus five per cent for those under $500.
In 2022, the B.C. Supreme Court quashed the bylaw, agreeing with two landlords that the city had overstepped its authority as rent is already regulated under B.C.’s Residential Tenancy Act.
In February the B.C. Court of Appeal upheld that decision.
In a Tuesday media release, the city said it was seeking leave to appeal the appellate court’s decision at Canada’s top court.
The city says its 6,500 SRO units offer housing of last resort to Vancouver’s most vulnerable residents, and that privately owned facilities are increasingly becoming out of reach to low-income renters.
It says the bylaw is meant to slow speculative investment and surging rents.
The Supreme Court of Canada has not yet indicated whether it will hear the case.