Tenant's Rights

Rising property taxes; elimination of rent controls; demolition of rental units and a growing and aging population are putting continuous pressure on the British Columbia's housing supply.

The government is beginning to respond to housing needs but it is important to know your basic rights and the avenues you can follow for assistance.

1.	Right To Repair Landlords are responsible for keeping their property in a state of repair and for maintaining any service or facility that was originally included in the rent. They must keep the property up to standards set by municipal by-laws. If your landlord refuses to make needed repairs you can apply for arbitration at the Residential Tenancy Branch.
2.	Protect Yourself Whenever possible, get any and all matters related to your tenancy in writing and with witnesses. Always get receipts for any money you pay your landlord and if at all possible - pay by cheque. Have someone witness the condition of your suite when you move in and when you move out in order to protect your claim for your security deposit.
3.	Rent Increases Rents can be raised by any amount now that rent controls have been lifted but rents can be raised only once every 12 months. You must get three months notice of any rent increase in writing.
4.	Eviction Notice Notice for eviction for any reason must be in writing and on a special government form. You must receive a legal notice before the day the rent is due. You can get a 10-day notice for not paying the rent; a one-month notice for causing a problem (like seriously damaging the property or disturbing other tenants) and you can get a two-month notice if the landlord intends to put the property to other uses or intends to move in or renovate. If you don't agree with the eviction, dispute it immediately at the Residential Tenancy Branch.
5.	Damage Deposits Landlords cannot deduct money from your security deposit for normal wear and tear. They can only charge you if you damage something or if they lose money because you didn't give proper notice when you moved. If you don't agree with money deducted, you can take your landlord to arbitration.
6.	Arbitration If your landlord refuses to listen to reason you may have to apply for arbitration through the Residential Tenancy Branch . It costs $30.00 to file a dispute, but if you win, the fee may be awarded back to you.

What You Can Do

1.	Get Organized When tenants unite, landlords have to listen! If you have a problem that you think affects other tenants in your building, you will get results quickly if you band together and take action jointly. Tenants have banded together to form tenant committees to fight for repairs, block unjust evictions and to fight excessive rent increases.
2.	Form a Group If your building has a common problem, organize a common solution! Talk to your neighbours and see if any want to help you set up a tenants meeting. Photocopy notices of the time and place and put them under everybody's door. At the first meeting make a list of complaints. Then try to decide what problems all the tenants have in common. Joint action brings results!

Who To Contact

1.

Residential Tenancy Branch Provincial agency which assists landlord and tenants with such problems as rents, services and repairs, termination of tenancy agreements and privacy. Vancouver Office #310 - 1190 Melville Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3W1 Telephone: 660 - 3456 Victoria Office 1019 Wharf Street Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y9 Telephone: 387 - 1602 or 387 - 9116 Government agents also carry forms for the Residential Tenancy Branch.

2.

Tenants Rights Coalition In the lower mainland, tenants can also contact the Tenants Rights Coalition. The coalition offers Tenants Legal Clinics and publishes the Tenants Survival Guide. They also operate the Tenants Rights Hotline. Hotline 255 - 0546 Office 255 - 3099 Outside the Lower Mainland 1 - 800 - 665 - 1185

Financial Assistance Programs

Deferment of Property Taxes

The deferment of property taxes is a Provincial Government program. It allows senior citizens to remain in their own homes despite a possible problem with paying the property taxes. To defer taxes means that you can have the payment of your municipal taxes put off until the property is sold, Transferred or left vacant for ten years. The program applies to you if you live in your own home and you are over 65 years of age; or are a widow or widower or are disabled.

Who To Contact

Contact your local city or municipal hall if you have any questions.

Rent Subsidy Programs

Seniors living in units managed by the B.C. Housing Management Commission (BCHMC) may apply for financial assistance to reduce their rent to 30% of their gross income. Rental subsidies make up the difference between the rent paid by the tenant and the actual rent of the unit. Funding is provided by the Provincial and Federal Governments.

Rental subsidies are available for units managed by BCHMC; designated units in the private rental market; units managed by non-profit housing societies and units in co-operative housing developments built after 1986 BCHMC also maintains a listing of subsidized and affordable housing for seniors complete with contact names and addresses.

Who To Contact

B.C Housing Management Commission
1701 - 4330 Kingsway
Burnaby, British Columbia, V5H 4G7
Telephone: 433 1711

SAFER (Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters)

SAFER is a provincial government program which provides direct cash assistance to renters who are senior citizens.

To qualify for the SAFER program:
1. You must be 60 years of age or over and
2. You must be a renter and
3. You must be receiving the Old Age Security Pension and
4. Your rent be more than 30% of your income and
5. You or your spouse must have lived in British Columbia for one continuous year prior to application.

You do not qualify if you already live in subsidized housing, a care facility or receive a shelter allowance.

Who To Contact

SAFER
Ministry of Social Services and Housing
P.O. Box 2500
Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 3A1
Telephone:
(Victoria) 387 - 4331
(Vancouver) 682 - 0391
For the rest of the province call: 1 - 800 - 665 - 2656

Other Sources of Assistance

Bus Pass Program (you must have a valid Gold Card)
P.O. Box 9430
Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 9V2
Telephone: 682 - 0391

Senior Supplement (65 or over; OAP and GIS necessary)
P.O. Box 9471
Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 9Y9
Telephone: 682 - 0391 Other Sources of Assistance