Today the NDP held a rally where they falsely claimed the BC Liberals are not protecting renters. Here are the facts:
NDP CLAIM: 'The BC Liberals have abandoned renters.' - WRONG
THE FACTS: It was the BC Liberals that introduced the Rental Assistance Program to help families live in market rental housing. The program provides up to $765 a month for a family of four in Metro Vancouver and currently supports over 7,700 families. The NDP web site says “Rent supplements are simply a gift to landlords”. The NDP have voted against this program and plan to cancel it.
NDP CLAIM: 'The BC Liberals have gutted the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA)' - WRONG
THE FACTS: The BC Liberals modernized the Residential Tenancy Act, improving protection for landlords and tenants. The 2003 Act:
- Restricted rent increases to the rate of inflation plus two per cent.
- Prohibited screening fees, protecting tenants from being charged by landlords who had no intention to rent the unit.
- Introduced a new provision to encourage landlords to accept pets.
- Mandated inspections at the beginning and end of tenancies to ensure damage deposits were fairly managed.
NDP CLAIM: 'The Act has a loophole that allows for "unjust renovictions"' - WRONG
THE FACTS: Rental units, like all housing, over time require repairs and renovations. Landlords can only evict tenants if they can prove the unit needs to be vacant for the renovations to proceed. The act requires that all permits be in place and at least two months notice be given. Tenants have the right to dispute the eviction notice through the independent dispute resolution process.
NDP CLAIM: The Geographic Area Increase clause is unfair and allows for staggering rent increases - WRONG
THE FACTS: The purpose of this clause is for exceptional cases where rental rates, in market rental housing, have fallen far below market value. If these anomalies are not addressed, market rental housing becomes at risk of closing, or converting. These options need to be available to protect market rental housing in our communities. The NDP should know that. That being said, this clause places a heavy burden of proof on the landlord and requires approval by the Residential Tenancy Office. Residents have the right to appeal these decisions to the BC Supreme Court.
