As living costs surge, tenants dread B.C.'s next inflation-matched rent increase
With annual rent increases tied to inflation in British Columbia, tenant advocates are worried the next hike could force some already-struggling families from their homes.
Canadians across the country are paying more for everything from groceries to gasoline, and Will Gladman of the Vancouver Tenants Union cautioned some renters couldn’t afford a significant increase to their monthly housing costs.
"Everything's going up and up and up," Gladman said. "We would argue the rent increase should be capped at nothing this year, given the expenses that people are already incurring."
Up until 2018, the B.C. government allowed landlords to increase rent by two per cent plus the rate of inflation. The NDP has since decreased the annual hike, tying it to inflation alone, which is calculated using the 12-month average percentage change to the Consumer Price Index, as of the previous July.
Renters won't know what kind of increase they're facing for 2023 until later this year, but as of April, the 12-month average was at four per cent – which would be the highest increase since the province's new formula took effect.
A four per cent hike would translate to an extra $100 per month for anyone paying $2,500 in rent.
RENT HIKES NECESSARY, LANDLORDS SAY
LandlordBC, whose members include everyone from building managers to investment property owners, argued inflationary pressures are impacting housing providers as well, with the costs of insurance, utilities and maintenance also on the rise.
In a statement, CEO David Hutniak noted the sector has already "endured an eviction moratorium during the pandemic and a two-plus-year rent increase freeze."
"The province wants us to invest in the existing rental housing stock and to aggressively build new purpose-built rental to help them achieve their housing goals," Hutniak said.
"While we are willing partners, it is critical that the province respect the legislated (rent increase formula) for 2023. Failure to do so will undermine the rental housing ecosystem, and freeze new rental construction as developers and lenders will lose confidence in B.C. as a dependable jurisdiction to invest."
B.C.'s rent freeze was lifted back in January, letting landlords increase rent by 1.5 per cent. Some have implemented much more dramatic hikes since the start of the pandemic, however, as allowed after an existing renter leaves and is replaced by a new tenant.
A recent report from Rentals.ca found people who moved into a Vancouver home in May 2022 paid 20 per cent more, on average, than those who started renting just one year earlier.
Skyrocketing rents have created a precarious situation for vulnerable families, Gladman said.
"Rents just keep climbing out of people's reach, and then there's nowhere for them to go," he said. "Nobody is building anything that's remotely affordable for people with the lowest incomes and fixed incomes – the people most often impacted by bad policy."
PUSH FOR VACANCY CONTROL
Gladman is also a member of the Rent Strike Bargain campaign, which is calling for collective bargaining rights for tenants that would force landlords to negotiate things like rent increases in good faith.
Another one of the campaign's goals is to see B.C. implement a system of vacancy control, which ties rents to a unit, rather than a tenant.
"Vacancy control would make a huge difference to those skyrocketing rent increases. If landlords can't increase rent between tenants, we're not going to see those jumps," Gladman said.
So far, the government has not been responsive to that proposal.
Asked whether the province would consider a lower cap for next year's rent increase, the ministry responsible for housing told CTV News it is "reviewing policy options to continue to support British Columbians."
"We know that things are especially hard right now for people," the ministry wrote in a statement. "We are determined to keep reducing costs for people in B.C including in housing."
Both LandlordBC and the Vancouver Tenants Union argued the province could provide some relief by finally fulfilling its 2017 campaign promise of a $400 renters' rebate.
"We actually suggest they double it and target those in greatest need," Hutniak said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.