Tougher rental rules in effect


Tuesday, March 11th, 2008

Sun

VICTORIA – B.C. landlords and tenants will face tough new penalties for breaking the province’s rental laws, Housing Minister Rich Coleman announced Monday.

Effective immediately, the Residential Tenancy Branch can impose “administrative penalties” of up to $5,000 against people or companies with repeated or serious violations of the Residential Tenancy Act or the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act.

The penalized landlords or tenants also could face additional fines for each day a problem goes uncorrected, the government said in a release.

For example, landlords could face penalties for repeatedly failing to return damage deposits, while a tenant might get fined for continually damaging their accommodations or moving out without giving proper notice.

The branch will assess the seriousness and frequency of each offence before imposing a penalty. Landlords and tenants will have the chance to review the evidence against them and present a defence before a decision is made.

© The Vancouver Sun 2008

 



One Response to “Tougher rental rules in effect”

  1. bill shaw says:

    is there anything in this or other ploicy rental leasing contracks about masterbating in your window or showing your self to a minor we have a person who is leasing the house across the street and we need help as people of maple ridge the police have thier hands tied please we need help