Burnaby’s mayor defends rental licencing rules despite landlord backlash

BURNABY (NEWS 1130) – New licensing rules for rental homes in Burnaby may not be popular with some landlords, but the mayor insists they are better for everyone.

Homeowners have until Nov. 30 to register.

Mayor Mike Hurley, who says most people have already filed their declarations, tells NEWS 1130 this is meant to keep track of rental properties across the city.

“We’ve been receiving many complaints about short-term rentals and rentals that aren’t being kept up to the right standards for people to live,” he says.

Despite backlash from some landlords, #Burnaby's mayor says most homeowners have already complied with new licensing rules for rental properties that replace old "stove tax." Mike Hurley tells @NEWS1130 some people expecting to pay at least $570/year will now pay $130. #VanRe

— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) November 15, 2019

The new licence fees mean people who rent out a second property will now be charged $130 a year, but those who rent out a secondary or basement suite in their primary residence will pay $570 annually.

Hurley admits some landlords are upset about new charges, even though in many cases, people are paying less.

“Any time you put a new fee or any of those types of things, you’ll always have some pushback, but not as much as we were before,” he says.

He says the city has stopped charging people the “stove tax” for having a second stove, if they can prove they don’t have someone renting out a space in their home.

“I always felt that was unfair and it was unfair to families who were looking after their children sometime in their basement,” Hurley says.

.@LandlordBC CEO David Hutniak says some homeowners are still paying $570/year compared to #Vancouver where the rate is $74. He’s also suggesting the main reason compliance has been strong in #Burnaby is because violators face $1000 fine if they don’t comply. #rentalhousing

— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) November 15, 2019

David Hutniak, the CEO of Landlord BC, says even though some are paying less, the new fee for renting out a basement suite is higher than it is in Vancouver where the same rate is $74.

“I believe Port Moody has a licensing fee. I mean, it’s not unheard of that, you know, there’s licensing fees for secondary suites,” he says.

While he’s glad the city is getting rid of the old “stove tax,” he’s not convinced new rates are fair.

“It was always our feeling that that was just a tax grab,” he says. “They’re being harsh here on existing landlords who are providing rental housing today –not five years from now. They really need to re-think this.”

He’s also suggesting the main reason compliance has been strong in Burnaby is because violators face being fined $1,000.