Dear Editor:
I have a basement suite that I have rented off and on.
It has just come to my attention in the last while that landlords have little to no rights, and the rules and regulations are all in favour of the tenant, leaving many landlords distraught and in despair having little or no control over their huge investment.
Global news reported B.C. rules protected a nightmare renter who trashed home and skipped a year’s rent – thanks to B.C.’s NDP government. Everyone is complaining there are no rentals but people don’t want to rent out their properties, they are scared to become landlords and knowing the protection from them is seriously flawed and lacking in support.
I feel this is a very important issue that needs to be addressed. While both parties need to be protected, these new rules are in favour of the tenant and are creating a rental crisis in B.C. for both landlords and tenants in this situation everyone loses.
As landlords, once we hand over the keys, we have lost all rights to our own home. Renting is a highly risky business in the best of circumstances. Professional property management needs to take several university courses and extensive training to do this job.
It seems that it is the small landlords that are renting out suites or homes that are the hardest hit as they tend to let the small things go and before they know it, it turns into a big problem with no protection.
Many tenants are taking advantage of these new laws and are abusing landlords. These problems are also driving up the cost of rentals. The south Okanagan Valley does have an advantage, as they are turning their rentals into expensive seasonal, summer vacation rentals.
In summary, one good tip is only sign a six-month lease and tick the box “must move out.” This can be reviewed every six months. That way if they are bad tenants you are not stuck with them.
Never tick box to roll over to month to month. They also say if a tenant is late with the rent take this as a warning sign because this will continue; they are telling you that paying rent is not a priority. Only rent for six months at a time.
Hire a property manager with a good reputation. Don’t forget to register a bad tenant at bad tenant registry and B.C. landlords support group found on Facebook.
Good luck to all of the landlords! Happy renting!
Holly Aschenbrenner
Osoyoos, B.C.
Yep, couldn’t agree more. I have two properties right now sitting empty, and I’m very much okay with that. I’d prefer they sit empty, for my occasional use, than have them destroyed by renters, and have no financial recourse. It simply isn’t worth the risk.
Meanwhile, your stupid politicians keep trying to deal with affordable housing, while passing laws hurting landlords, causing fewer and fewer people to be willing to rent, which drives the cost of renting and owning even higher.
If landlords were given rights to protect their property, and the ability to promptly evict bad tenants, there would be a flood of new rentals on the market, and prices would come down. But for the foreseeable future, my two properties will sit empty. And the government will not get a cent in rental income tax either. That too I’m okay with!