MR. SPENCER CHANDRA HERBERT

BILL M 209 — 2010

LONG TERM TENANTS PROTECTION ACT, 2010

This bill amends Part 3 of the Residential Tenancy Act to protect the homes of long term renters by removing the geographic area increase clause which allows landlords to apply for large rent increases over and above the yearly rent increase. The bill also protects long term tenants by requiring landlords to show that they have no other suites available for caretakers when applying to evict tenants for this use.

HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia. enacts as follows:

1 Section 43 of the Residential Tenancy Act, S.B.C., c. 78 is amended by adding the following subsection:

(4) A landlord may not apply for an additional rent increase under subsection (3) on the basis that the rent for the rental unit is significantly lower than the rent payable for other rental units that are similar to, and in the same geographic area as, the rental unit.

2 The Residential Tenancy Act, S.B.C. 2002, c. 78, is amended by adding the following part to section 49 (6):

49 (6.1) A landlord may not end a tenancy under s. 49 (6) (e), if there is another suite unoccupied or available for use by caretaker, manager or superintendent of the residential property.

Explanatory Note

This bill amends Part 3 of the Residential Tenancy Act to protect the homes of long term renters by removing the geographic area increase clause which allows landlords to apply for large rent increases over and above the yearly rent increase. The bill also protects long term tenants by requiring landlords to show that they have no other suites available for caretakers when applying to evict tenants for this use.