New rent increase capped at 3.5 per cent, seemingly not welcomed by renters or landlords
In an already tight, expensive rental market, landlords in B.C. will soon be able to increase their rent for existing tenants by three and a half per cent instead of the two per cent they're currently capped at.
The increase is still below inflation for the second straight year – which is a departure from when landlords were allowed to increase rent based on inflation -- or from prior to 2018, when they were allowed to increase rent by inflation plus two per cent.
“We know that renters are having a real tough time right now -- we also know that some landlords with the rising interest rates are having a real tough time,” said Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, when announcing the new rental cap on Monday.
Landlords were hoping for a cap in the range of the 5.6 per cent calculated as average inflation for the year, and David Hutniak, the CEO of Landlord BC says mounting expenses could drive some landlords away from renting their places out.
“I would remind everyone that landlords are not immune the inflation and the effects of interest rates,” said Hutniak.
He says another concern is that with allowable rent increases changing so often, developers may be reluctant to build purpose-built rentals.
“They need certainty around annual rent increases,” said Hutniak.
On the flip side, with rents already at record highs, any allowable increase is tough for tenants, and this increase works out to several hundred dollars more a year for most tenants.
“It’s going to be an increase that’s going to hurt many tenants if they’re already stretched to the max,” said Douglas King, a housing advocate with Together Against Poverty in Victoria.
King says what’s most important, however, is a cap on how much landlords can jack up rent in between renters.
“We’re seeing more and more pressure on landlords to evict tenants to try and get the rent as high as possible,” said King.
Premier Eby today characterized setting rent caps as a tricky balance.
“The realities faced by renters of increasing costs on many fronts and the realities faced by landlords of many increasing costs -- and their decision perhaps not to continue renting,” said Eby at a press conference in Kamloops.
The new rent hikes can take affect as of this upcoming January -- as long as landlords give proper notice, three months in advance.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.