B.C. brings in repayment plan ahead of lifting eviction ban
Posted July 16, 2020 3:11 pm.
Last Updated July 16, 2020 3:12 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — B.C. will lift a ban on evicting tenants in less than two months, while bringing in a repayment plant to help landlords and tenants.
The repayment framework announced Thursday is being set up ahead of Sept. 1, when the ban on evictions ends.
Ban on evicting #BC tenants not paying rent to be lifted September 1st.
Framework set up by @selinarobinson includes extending government supplements, giving renters until July 21st to gradually pay money owed and not allowing rent increases before December. #bcpoli @NEWS1130— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) July 16, 2020
It includes extending government supplements, giving renters until next summer to gradually pay back any money owed, and not allowing any rent increases before December.
RELATED: Province extends ban on rent increases, will allow some evictions amid continuing health crisis
Tenants have until July 2021 to repay any outstanding rent, as long as monthly instalments are made starting Oct. 1.
Monthly installments must start October 1st of this year.
Stats provided by #BC government show up to 3% of all renters not paying since the state of emergency started in March, but at least 85% are marking full or partial payments. #bcpoli #VanRe #housing @NEWS1130— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) July 16, 2020
“We know that COVID-19 has touched all aspects of our lives and our economy. As we carefully move forward with restarting the economy, we are taking the same measured approach to tenancy rules and giving people advance notice so they can plan,” said Selina Robinson, minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
“These changes will build on the extension of our Temporary Rent Supplement (TRS) program and give renters until next summer to gradually pay back any unpaid rent to help them maintain their housing, while also continuing the ban on rent increases until December.”
In June, landlords in B.C. had urged the province to lift the eviction ban.
Since the state of emergency started in March, the province says about 97 per cent of renters continued to pay rent, with the majority (85 per cent) paying in full, and 12 per cent making partial payments.
As of July 9, 85,000 British Columbians benefitted from the TRS, which is expected to provide more then $150 million in financial support for renters and landlords between from April to August.
