Richmond’s mayor has requested a report on the history of duplex rentals and the reasons why duplex suites are exempted from a current bylaw, after a resident voiced her concerns at the council meeting Monday night.
Realtor Karen Rabinovitch owns a duplex in Steveston and had a tenant living in the suite downstairs for 23 years.
The tenant recently passed away and Rabinovitch spent $20,000 renovating the suite, with a plan to rent it out again. However, she was told by the city that the suite was illegal.
“I was shocked when city staff told me I was not allowed to have a suite in my place because it’s not a detached house,” Rabinovitch told the Richmond News.
“I have had it for so many years. It’s a nice two-bedroom suite, my neighbours are fine with it, and it helps me pay my mortgage, I don’t see the problem having it.”
Rabinovitch’s case sparked discussions at the council meeting about whether the city should allow such suites in duplexes.
Some councillors think it may be time to consider the option to help tackle the city’s affordable housing challenge.
During the meeting, Mayor Brodie requested city staff look into the history of duplexes and the reason why a duplex rental suite is not allowed in the first place.
For now, Rabinovitch was advised to go through a site-specific rezoning application and submit a rezoning report before further consideration takes place.
“It kind of put me back at where I started,” said Rabinovitch.
“To go through the whole rezoning process, I have to put up the signs, conduct the survey…it will cost me at least $4,000. And approval is not guaranteed.”
She was told by the city that it can take months for the report to come out.
Rabinovitch can wait in the hope that the bylaw will be changed, but her financial situation doesn’t allow her to let the suite sit empty.
“A practical solution for me is to remove the stove from the suite and rent the rooms to boarders who are not allowed to cook.” said Rabinovitch.
