Renters are using the upcoming provincial election to fight back against jacked-up rates and renovation-happy landlords.
Christine Ackerman, of RentersFightBack.com, said so-called "renovictions" - where landlords evict residents to conduct minor renovations and then raise rents - have reached crisis levels.
"Entire populations are being displaced," Ackerman told 24 hours. "It's a crisis in the province. Renters need to wake up and see that this is happening everywhere. For every resident you hear about being evicted for renovations, there are hundreds that don't say anything."
She believes that if renters - who make up 30 per cent of B.C. households - vote en masse in May's provincial election, more pressure will be put on the government to close loopholes in the Residential Tenancy Act.
The B.C. NDP have taken up the cause.
If elected, they vow to adopt tenancy rules used in Ontario that allow residents to move back into renovated suites at their previous rent.
"We need to stop letting landlords think it's OK to evict residents and let them come back for double the rent," said Vancouver-Point Grey candidate Mel Lehan. "Renters are being treated like second-class citizens."
Matt Kieltyka reports for Vancouver's 24 hours.
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asp
2 years ago
Rents going down?
At least with so many lost jobs during this recession, we can expect higher vacancies and therefore, lower rents.
southdeltawalker
2 years ago
is it a reno or renoviction?
I rented for years, then had a rental house and now am a home owner.
All properties need upkeep-that is the cost of owning property. Rents need to be set to include the cost of ongoing maintenance if possible.
If people are being evicted due to regular maintenance-that needs to be stopped.
If there are genuine expensive reno's or restorations planned that is completely different.
Having a rent that reflects a newly renovated or restored property's increased value is only fair to the owner.
As a former rental property owner, treating tenants with honesty, dignity and respect is the most important thing.
Unfortunately there are some who take advantage of what they see as the tenants vulnerable position.
vancurber
2 years ago
Renters need to wake up
They need to wake up all right and realize that most renters don't pay nearly enough for landlords to cover their costs. Why do these renters feel so entitled to cheap housing?