Port Coquitlam set to introduce bylaw that targets predatory renovictions

PORT COQUITLAM (NEWS 1130) – City council is set to vote on bylaw changes that will target landlords operating rentals with five or more units Tuesday night.

If passed, the new bylaw would require landlords who “renovict” their units to provide alternative housing for tenants, and allow them to move back in without a rent increase.

Mayor Brad West says this change would protect vulnerable tenants and take on what he calls “predatory” landlords.

“It will mean you won’t get that practice of taking people out of their homes, putting in new carpet, putting in new appliance, and then welcoming them back but doubling their rent.”

West says it’s a desperately needed change, as he hears from more and more vulnerable tenants being forced from their homes.

“I talked to a veteran and he gets a really modest veteran’s pension. He has nowhere else to go. If he’s kicked out of his bachelor suite, If he’s told he can come back but has to pay $1,200 a month. You can’t get blood from a stone. He can’t afford it, so where does he end up? On the streets? Making this change, we provide greater levels of security for tenants and ensuring a level of fairness.”

RELATED: Could Burnaby be next, when it comes to taking action to stop ‘renovictions’?

As for pushback from landlords, West says he’s not backing down.

“The vast majority of our landlords have never and will never renovict. They have nothing to worry about. Buildings can be improved, rents can be increased, so that’s not the practice in question. The only people that have something to be worried about are people engaged in predatory renovictions,” West adds. “Cosmetic improvements as a pretext to evict people out of their homes and saying sure come back but your rent has doubled.”

He’s hoping other cities act against so-called “bad landlords,” and adds the province needs to step in and help.

“Ideally I think the provincial govt needs to step in and ensure uniform rules across Metro Vancouver and the province, this is primarily a provincial responsibility. Local governments are stepping in and providing some way of protection and regulation in this area because it’s residents of our communities that are suffering and paying the price for inaction that has allowed this practice to continue.”

The bylaw is up for public consultation starting at 7 p.m., with council’s vote following.

If approved the change would take affect immediately.

Port Coquitlam is the second municipality in the Lower Mainland to target renovictions, following New Westminster.

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