On Wednesday, British Columbia’s annual allowable rent increase for 2020 was set at 2.6%. This is the province’s annual rate of inflation
This rate is 2% lower than it would have been prior to the reduction government made in 2019.
“Renters need secure housing they can afford,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
“That’s why we removed the additional 2% above inflation that the old government allowed for rent increases since 2004”.
For renters in BC living in a $1,250 per month apartment (the average rent in B.C.), they can now save up to $300 in 2020. Furthermore, those who live in a two-bedroom apartment can save up to $471 annually.
In addition to this announcement, the province unveiled increased compensation for bad-faith evictions, strengthened requirements for eviction notifications and issued new Residential Tenancy Branch guidelines in July 2019.
The new Residential Tenancy Branch guidelines will help with:
- The limited types of major repairs that truly require vacancy;
- The good-faith requirement;
- Necessary permits required by landlords; and
- Case law regarding renters’ ability to sustain tenancies during renovations
While this is great news for affordable housing, rental rates and worker wages continue to be an uphill battle for local residents.
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