New protections and compensation for renters in British Columbia, who are facing eviction as a result of renovation or demolition, have officially come into effect.

Changes to the Residential Tenancy Act support the government’s commitment to provide stronger protections for tenants by:

• providing tenants with more time to find alternate housing if their landlord ends a tenancy to demolish or renovate a unit and requires the unit to be vacant;
• providing tenants with more time to dispute a notice to end a tenancy for demolition, conversion or renovation;
• increasing the amount of compensation a landlord must pay a former tenant if they end a tenancy for renovation/demolition and then do not follow through on their plans. This compensation would also apply in situations where the landlord uses a “vacate” clause because they had plans to move back in, but then re-rented the unit to someone else; and
• including a first right of refusal for tenants in multi-unit buildings who are evicted because of renovation or repair. 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, in fact, occur.

All updated forms and guidelines and information about the amendments, including questions and answers can be found online: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=8BDF58F680E34E83A15F706D3BAB4113

The Province’s changes to the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act, to create fairness for tenants when landlords choose to close or convert a manufactured home park, are expected to come into effect in the coming weeks.

Quick Facts:

• On April 10, 2018, the Province announced the new Rental Housing Task Force, chaired by Spencer Chandra Herbert, MLA for Vancouver-West End:  news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018PREM0015-000608
• Based on public and stakeholder consultations, the task force will consider further improvements to the Residential Tenancy Act and Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act, building on the actions taken by government to date.