View Residential Tenancy Act: http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01
What is the purpose of this act?
What powers are conferred on the state or its agents?
How does this act benefit society?
List governmental and community based agencies that work within this legislated act.
What issues may be associated with the administration of this act?
How would you support and advocate for your clients in relationship to this act?
Identify community resources in your area that may assist clients to navigate through legal systems.
Describe and explain current or historical events as seen through the media that relate to this act, convention or charter. Provide a related link or copy of a newspaper article.
Residential Tenancy Act consultation draws large crowd
By Ty Dunham, The Aurora, November 5, 2012
http://www.theaurora.ca/News/2012-11-05/article-3114275/Residential-Tenancy-Act-consultation-draws-large-crowd/1
Labrador West had the largest attendance from the Residential Tenancy Act review meeting held last week compared to other communities across Newfoundland and Labrador, showing the dire need for solutions with the housing crisis in the area.
Cities push for B.C. Residential Tenancy Act amendment
By Kim Nursall, the Vancouver Sun, May 11, 2011
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Cities+push+Residential+Tenancy+amendment/6604425/story.html#ixzz2AAYZtAuP
This news article describes how politicians from 33 municipalities are pushing the provincial government to amend the Residential Tenancy Act. Currently the act, "subjects tenants to a costly, time-consuming, and ineffective system that is difficult to navigate due to its bureaucratic and legal complexity". According to the city councilors, the Residential Tenancy Branch has not expanded enough to reflect the complaints they get from tenants. The resolution will be sent to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, where it will be debated.
What is the purpose of this act?
- A provincial Act that outlines the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords
- The Act requires that a landlord provides the tenant with a written tenancy agreement. This acts as proof of what is agreed to by the landlord and the tenant. Landlords must complete a condition inspection report of the property before the tenant moves in.
- To be protected by the Residential Tenancy Act, the individual's name must be on a tenancy agreement as a tenant, and pay rent to the landlord, and in most cases pay a damage deposit.
What powers are conferred on the state or its agents?
- A director is appointed in accordance with the Public Service Act
- The director is responsible for the administration and management of all matters and persons regarding the act.
- These responsibilities include dealing with conflict between the landlord and tenant, as well as dispute resolution.
How does this act benefit society?
- This Act protects both the tenants and the landlords when entering into a tenancy agreement.
- The Act outlines how to start a tenancy, who is responsible for any issues that arise throughout the tenancy, and how to terminate a tenancy.
- Also outlines the dispute resolution process for both landlords and tenants
List governmental and community based agencies that work within this legislated act.
- TRAC Tenant Resource & Advisory Center: http://tenants.bc.ca
- Residential Tenancy Branch: http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca/
What issues may be associated with the administration of this act?
- It costs $50 to apply for a dispute resolution hearing unless you are claiming an amount over $5,000 in which case it is $100. This cost may be waived if proof of low income is provided.
- Time limits to filing a dispute. For example, there are only a few days to file a dispute against an eviction notice.
- After receiving a decision made by a Residential Tenancy Branch dispute resolution officer, there are very limited grounds to dispute a decision
- Landlords, in many cases, are not professionals, and therefore do not act accordingly. Disputes often arise from lack of communication from the landlord and insincerity.
How would you support and advocate for your clients in relationship to this act?
- A majority of people at one point or another will enter a tenancy agreement, therefore, it will be likely to work with clients who are currently in a tenancy agreement or those who are looking into signing one.
- Educating clients on their rights and responsibilities as tenants, especially in cases of privacy, health, and safety. If there are aware, they will know when a right has been violated.
- Ensuring proper understanding of the 'walk-through' of the residence, ensuring that any problems are documented early in the agreement to avoid being penalized for the previous tenants' damage.
- Encourage clients to have written proof of the tenancy agreement, read the agreement before signing, and complete a throughout inspection of the property before moving in to protect themselves in case of a dispute.
Identify community resources in your area that may assist clients to navigate through legal systems.
- Residential Tenancy Office Victoria: http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca/content/contactUs/default.aspx
- Together Against Poverty Society: http://www.tapsbc.ca/
Describe and explain current or historical events as seen through the media that relate to this act, convention or charter. Provide a related link or copy of a newspaper article.
Residential Tenancy Act consultation draws large crowd
By Ty Dunham, The Aurora, November 5, 2012
http://www.theaurora.ca/News/2012-11-05/article-3114275/Residential-Tenancy-Act-consultation-draws-large-crowd/1
Labrador West had the largest attendance from the Residential Tenancy Act review meeting held last week compared to other communities across Newfoundland and Labrador, showing the dire need for solutions with the housing crisis in the area.
Cities push for B.C. Residential Tenancy Act amendment
By Kim Nursall, the Vancouver Sun, May 11, 2011
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Cities+push+Residential+Tenancy+amendment/6604425/story.html#ixzz2AAYZtAuP
This news article describes how politicians from 33 municipalities are pushing the provincial government to amend the Residential Tenancy Act. Currently the act, "subjects tenants to a costly, time-consuming, and ineffective system that is difficult to navigate due to its bureaucratic and legal complexity". According to the city councilors, the Residential Tenancy Branch has not expanded enough to reflect the complaints they get from tenants. The resolution will be sent to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, where it will be debated.