The B.C. government is proposing multiple changes to try to better protect tenants from the so-called “renovictions.”
Tenants will now have four months instead of two to find a new home if a landlord decides to demolish or renovate the unit.
Under previous rules, tenants had 15 days to dispute the eviction notice, which the provincial government has now doubled to 30 days.
“Tenants need stronger protections when a landlord is choosing to renovate or sell their property,” said Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Selina Robinson in a release.
WATCH: ‘No Vacancy:’ the face of Metrotown demovictions
If approved by the legislature, tenants will also have first right-of-refusal when the unit is done.
“The requirement to offer units to the original tenant will also help address improper uses of this provision by allowing the tenant to confirm that the renovations did occur,” read a statement from the government.
If the landlord evicts a tenant but the renovations never take place, tenants will be compensated with 12 months’ rent instead of two.
“This compensation would also apply in situations where the landlord used a vacate clause because they had plans to move back in, but then re-rented the unit to someone else.”
WATCH: Tenants raise concerns about demovictions
The government is also making changes to protect manufactured home parks and those living there that are forced to move.
“The proposed amendments to the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act will assist displaced tenants to move their home to another site, if possible, and compensate them for the loss of their home if they are unable to move it,” read the release.
Comments