An Update On The BC Tenant Protection Changes
On March 25, 2020, the BC government announced that renters would not be evicted if they could not pay rent due to the COVID-19 crisis. It also introduced a Temporary Rental Supplement (TRS) to help renters pay their rent.
Last month, it partially lifted the ban on residential rental evictions, but maintained the moratorium on rent increases and evictions for non-payment of rent.
The government has also extended the TRS program that was supposed to end in June, to the end of August. The rental supplements of $300-$500 are paid directly to the landlords.
Between April 9, 2020 and June 15, 2020, BC Housing received more than 90,000 applications for the temporary rent supplement, and nearly 82,500 eligible applications were confirmed.
On July 2, 2020, the following tenancy laws came into effect:
A landlord can now issue a Notice to End Tenancy for any reason (other than unpaid or late payment rent). Landlords with existing orders for eviction can now take them to the courts for enforcement and can enforce a writ order effective immediately. Landlords can enter a rental suite with 24 hours notice and do not need the tenant’s consent. They are expected to follow health guidelines like physical distancing, cleaning and wearing masks when appropriate.
The change also allows for personal service of documents to resume, rather than via email. The landlords’ ability to restrict access to common spaces for COVID-19 related health reasons remains.
A tenant who has not paid rent could face eviction once the state of emergency is over.
If you require more information regarding this issue or any other developments that have taken place recently, please contact us or call us on 604 913 1000. Our real estate professional advisors will be only too pleased to be of assistance.