On behalf of the Landlord Rights Association of BC we would like to update you on current situation. 

 The Landlord Rights Association of BC continues its 15-month campaign for balanced tenancy laws, advocating for the fair treatment of both landlords and tenants across the province. On August 9, 2024, representatives of the association met with BC Housing Minister Honourable Ravi Kahlon to present their 10-point
petition, which outlines key reforms needed to address the challenges faced by hundreds of thousands of homeowners in British Columbia.

Following the meeting, the Housing Minister acknowledged the Association’s concerns and directed his staff to review six of the ten issues raised, including:

⦁ Speed of Residential Tenancy Branch Decisions

Government response- We also introduced a new dispute stream to fast-track hearings of a landlord’s request for an Order of Possession for unpaid rent and/or utilities, or where the tenant has requested to cancel the Notice to End Tenancy issued by the landlord. As a result, the wait time for these disputes has significantly decreased from 9.3 weeks in June 2023 to 4.37 weeks in June 2024.

⦁ Collection of Unpaid Rent

Government response- However, I recognize that despite these rules a limited number of bad actors still choose not to pay rent and landlords in turn face challenges covering mortgage costs and maintaining their rental suites. Therefore, we are working on launching a provincially subsidized home owner rental insurance program for small-scale landlords to assist in these kind of exceptional circumstances.

⦁ Publishing Residential Tenancy Branch Decisions

Government response- The decision to withhold the names of parties in dispute resolution decision documents was informed by guidelines from the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. The proposed change regarding monetary orders may have some merit and so following our meeting I directed ministry staff to contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) and discussions are now underway. If the OIPC agrees this proposal aligns with their privacy and transparency guidelines then I will direct ministry staff to pursue this change.

⦁ Abandonment of Property

Government response-I appreciate that requiring landlords to store property of this value for the current duration of time may create undue burden, and that other jurisdictions have higher monetary thresholds and lower time period requirements. I have directed ministry staff to undertake a review relating to a landlord’s obligation to store abandoned personal property, while ensuring reasonable and fair treatment for tenants.

⦁ Service of Documents

Government response-This is to ensure that the document is served properly, and the person has access to the email in order to receive it. Ensuring the documents are served properly is a protection to landlords from being found to have not properly served a document and being at risk of not being able to provide evidence that the service method has worked. I have directed the RTB to look at improvements to this process and your proposals will be included in the review.

⦁ High Bailiff Costs

Government response- Following the decision by the RTB to grant an eviction and order of possession it is required that a landlord hire a bailiff, which as you have pointed out, can come with significant cost. I have therefore directed ministry staff to work together with the Ministry of Attorney General to examine alternatives to this requirement to determine if more cost-effective forms are possible, while at the same time ensuring that legal orders are carried out in a safe and fair manner.

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"We appreciate the government's recognition of some of our concerns, but critical
issues such as restoring fixed-term agreement, addressing below-market rent, and
expanding the definition of close family members remain unresolved.

The association highlights that below-market rent is a major issue causing friction
between landlords and tenants. “Many landlords are unable to increase rents to market rates, which causes unfair financial strain on homeowners.
In addition, the Association is calling for a broader definition of "Close Family Member" in tenancy agreements to include the landlord or landlord’s spouse, grandparents, siblings, children, and any relation by blood, marriage, or adoption.

The Landlord Rights Association remains committed to ensuring that the BC
government enacts laws that are fair, effective, and balanced for both tenants and
landlords.

Landlord Rights Association of BC
Email: landlordrightsofbc@gmail.com
Phone: 604-762-0814