B.C. heatwave raises ‘red flag’ of older Vancouver rental buildings with no AC
Posted June 25, 2021 7:07 pm.
Last Updated June 25, 2021 10:58 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Vancouver’s older, purpose-built rental buildings aren’t equipped for central air conditioning, and the CEO of Landlord BC says this weekend’s heatwave highlights how important it is to have a plan to replace them.
B.C. is bracing for record-high temperatures, with health officials in Vancouver warning people to stay hydrated, seek out AC, and check in on vulnerable neighbours — especially those who live alone.
David Hutniak says his members are doing what they can to help tenants through the heatwave, but calls it a red flag for the larger issue of aging buildings without the capacity for central cooling.
“These old buildings, which form the majority of the purpose-built rental stock don’t have air conditioning,” he says.
“Frankly, the cost would be exorbitant, if it’s even possible, to put air conditioning into these old buildings. The wiring the capability of the wiring, the mechanicals within these old buildings simply could not tolerate air conditioning. You can’t even put dishwashers in most of these old buildings. Everything in the walls is just old and does not have the capacity to handle any of these things.”
RELATED: Metro Vancouver heatwave: Warnings, records, precautions
New construction, according to Hurniak, is incorporating AC as a standard feature.
“It is all basically integrating cooling because of climate change is a real thing. Plus, more and more tenants want that as part of the cost of rental. It just really red flags an issue that needs to be considered over the next period of time, and probably sooner than later,” he says.
“They need to be torn down, and brand new buildings need to be built. It’s not just about buildings, it’s about people. Events like this really highlight the urgency of having sort of a strategic plan to start redeveloping these old purpose-built rental buildings. Everyone building new rental today is integrating cooling into those buildings. It’s just automatically being done.”
Hutniak adds that he is confident most landlords, especially ones who live on-site, will be trying to help tenants through.
“The last thing you want is one of your residents to suffer some really unfortunate consequences because of this heatwave in housing you’re providing. “
