NDP action to stop rent spikes applauded

The province’s announcement that it is changing tenancy regulations to limit rent increases by eliminating a clause that allows landlords to seek massive rent hikes to match neighborhood prices is being met with applause on local social media. The change came into effect Dec. 11.

According to Rent Jungle, “As of November 2017, the average rent for an apartment in Richmond, BC is $1964 which is a 34.93 per cent increase from last year when the average rent was $1278. One bedroom apartments in Richmond rent for $1513 a month on average (an 11.57% increase from last year), and a two bedroom apartment rents on average for $2420 (a 38.39 per cent increase from last year).”

A 34.93% annual increase in rent is dramatic, but renters in Richmond no longer need to worry about further rent spikes since the provincial government is closing this loophole.

Most comments on social media support the BC NDP’s action, although some have concerns about how this new change would work.

Here are 14 reactions came quickly on Twitter:

#BC to close another loophole to prevent unfair rent increases https://t.co/jcmMFWVPlM @katiederosayyj @timescolonist #housing #bcpoli

— Yuri Artibise (@YuriArtibise) December 12, 2017

You've heard of land value tax? This was a land value rent! -- sky's the limit. Thank goodness that free bar is finally closed. https://t.co/fkcx1TZS9P

— Len Guenther (@7leninvan) December 11, 2017

Finally! BC scraps loophole allowing landlords to seek massive rent hikes #VanRe - NEWS 1130 https://t.co/PYcq5Sa5Ns via @NEWS1130

— Muneori (Mick) Otaka (@M_Otaka) December 11, 2017

Sorry NDP but that horse is already out of the barn - B.C. changes tenancy regulations to limit rent increases to match area rates https://t.co/t2OaDammEo

— Lise Lasalle (@LiseLasalle) December 11, 2017

B.C. ends loophole allowing big rent hikes in hot neighbourhoods - Awesome, esp. in Vancouver! https://t.co/oJja9HnGT6

— Patricia Johnson (@EAProJohnson) December 10, 2017

This is great news for Vancouver renters, and frankly, a more equitable rental scheme. https://t.co/94ySOABaiy

— Micah Goldberg (@micahgoldberg) December 9, 2017

This protects people from unscrupulous landlords,
especially foreigners intent on only maximizing profit without a carehttps://t.co/o9kHTdMXVB pic.twitter.com/MC9ZfY7mmu

— QuanLee (@qlee50) December 11, 2017

Does this remove the limitations for landlords to increase rent by x% each year??

— The Last Legit (@mediarz) December 9, 2017

When lease comes to an end, landlord can't use vacate clause and limits rent increases between fixed term agreements with the same tenant to minimum allowable amount (4%) #vanre

— Kyle Benning (@KBBenning) December 9, 2017

essential&obvious changes - I believe I once looked at a unit in this very building. Was too expensive for a university grad with full time union job six years ago, so happy to hear it is, at least, not getting worse.

Next let's talk about a rent freeze @SChandraHerbert https://t.co/edrfkMpRh7

— Ryan Caron (@RyanMCaron) December 9, 2017

The clause allowed landlords to raise rents above the max annual allowable rent increase (will be 4% in 2018) if they could argue that rents in similar units in the area charged more #bcpoli https://t.co/nZ2WuB4ajl

— Kat Slepian (@katslepian) December 9, 2017

Still does nothing for people going into new leases as a new renter in that unit. This is a start, but it still allows landlords to conduct bidding wars for vacated apartments, or move the rent from 1500 to 2000 without any recourse

— Rich (@rffspinz) December 9, 2017