BC Housing rental and eviction updates

The province is introducing a new temporary rental supplement.

BC will also stop evictions and freeze rents.

The help is up to $500 a month towards rent.

Premier John Horgan says no one should lose their home as a result of COVID-19.

The funds are for renters who have lost income as a direct result of the virus.

It will be paid directly to landlords.

The idea is to help people with low to moderate incomes.

The full list of immediate measures includes:

* The new temporary rent supplement will provide up to $500 per month, paid directly to landlords.

* Halting evictions by ensuring a landlord may not issue a new notice to end tenancy for any reason. However, in exceptional cases where it may be needed to protect health and safety or to prevent undue damage to the property, landlords will be able to apply to the Residential Tenancy Branch for a hearing.

* Halting the enforcement of existing eviction notices issued by the Residential Tenancy Branch, except in extreme cases where there are safety concerns. The smaller number of court ordered evictions are up to the courts, which operate independently of government.

* Freezing new annual rent increases during the state of emergency.

* Preventing landlords from accessing rental units without the consent of the tenant (for example, for showings or routine maintenance), except in exceptional cases where it is needed to protect health and safety or to prevent undue damage to the unit.

* Restricting methods that renters and landlords can use to serve notices to reduce the potential transmission of COVID-19 (no personal service and allowing email).

* Allowing landlords to restrict the use of common areas by tenants or guests to protect against the transmission of COVID-19.

To further support renters and landlords, the Residential Tenancy Branch will implement several additional actions, including adjourning and rescheduling hearings in situations where people need additional time to prepare and extending timelines for filing applications for dispute resolution.

These latest steps are part of government’s $5-billion COVID-19 Action Plan to provide income supports, tax relief and direct funding for people, businesses and services.