On July 1st B.C. enacted new legislation, changing the process by which a landlord can evict a tenant so that renovations to the building or unit can take place. 

 According to Megan Milton, a volunteer with the Vancouver Tenants’ Union, prior to the legislation, “...there was no accountability for a landlord that was issuing a renovation or demolition eviction notice.... the burden of proof was on the tenant.” Once a tenant had been evicted, a landlord could increase the rent by as much as the market could bear. 

 Now, however, if a landlord wants to end a tenancy for extensive renovations or repairs, they need to apply for an Order of Possession from the Residential Tenancy Branch. There will be a dispute resolution proceeding where an arbitrator will decide if ending the tenancy is the only way to complete this work. The Vancouver Tenants’ Union applauds the changes because they’re “going to probably stamp out a fair amount of bogus evictions that you know the landlord had absolutely no plan whatsoever.” However, the Union remains skeptical that the changes will stop the practice altogether, as the profit motive remains in place.  

 According to their website, the Vancouver Tenants’ Union, “Represents over 2000 members, and seeks to build a base of tenants throughout the city to establish political power to create change.”  

 For more information: vancouvertenantsunion.ca