The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Finance Minister Greg Selinger has introduced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act. Under the proposals, tenants would be able to apply to the director of the Residential Tenancies Branch for compensation where there has been unreasonable delay by the landlord in complying with repair and maintenance obligations. Tenants would be given three months notice before a rent discount is reduced or removed. As well, tenants in units that are exempt from rent regulation would be protected against rent increases that are made with the intent to evict a tenant. The exemption from rent regulation for newly-constructed residential rental properties would increase to 20 years from 15. To encourage refurbishment of the rental stock, unit rehabilitations would be permitted where a unit has been voluntarily vacated by a tenant.
