r/vancouverhousing

I’d really like to know what the BC Conservatives plan to do with rent control if they win.

Last election, John Rustad was pretty open about where he wanted to go. He said he wouldn’t remove rent control right away because the rental market was too tight, but once vacancy rates improved, he wanted to look at getting rid of it.

That should be a massive red flag for renters in Metro Vancouver.

A lot of people are only able to stay in their homes because annual increases are capped. If those protections disappear, plenty of landlords would have every incentive to push long-term tenants toward current market rents.

Now we have a new Conservative leader, a new election, and a lot of talk about cutting taxes and red tape for housing.

But where is the clear promise to renters?

Do they still want rent control gone once they think the market can handle it?

Will they keep the current annual rent cap for the full term?

Because after what they proposed last time, silence on this is not reassuring.

Sources:

The Tyee — Rustad Would Scrap Zoning Reforms, Keep Rent Control
https://thetyee.ca/News/2024/09/20/Rustad-Zoning-Reforms-Rent-Control/

BC NDP — Rustad's plan to raise rent caps could cost renters hundreds of dollars a month
https://www.bcndp.ca/releases/rustads-plan-raise-rent-caps-could-cost-renters-hundreds-dollars-month

So I signed a lease on Sept 25 for move in on Nov 1. Currently paying $1950, new place is $1700. I gave my notice at current place on Sept 30.

They reached out a few days later and offered to lower my rent to $1600 if i'd stay (fantastic deal, especially to avoid moving expenses). I told them i'd already signed new lease and would need to speak to new LL.

Spoke to new LL today, I was super polite. Explained the situation to him, he didnt really want to hear any of it and just said he wants what's coming to him. I offered to send him the deposit (half month) to dissolve the lease but he said he wants a full month, so $1700.

I was surprised by that, since today is only the 4th and in my opinion (current LL agreed) 4 weeks should be plenty of time to find someone. New LL said no, he's very thorough, there's little to no chance he'll find someone by November.

So what are my options? I was considering just moving forward with the new lease as planned, but he was honestly pretty rude and it put me off from moving in there.

Legally as I understand it I'm on the hook until he finds a new tenant, but he's legally obligated to try to find a new tenant promptly.

If i decided to break thr lease and he went through the RTB what are the odds they'd make me pay a full month?

Any advice appreciated

Several people are renting one house and paying utilities from a landlord. The landlord installed cameras that were not there before inspection and against the wishes of the renters when asked (not in writing). These cameras point into several room’s windows and doors as well as record audio. I imagine this also sucks up a lot of power when the renters pay for utilities. The first week, the landlord texted us saying we’re not allowed parties after having 8 people over from 12pm-7pm on a friday. Thus, one of the renters texted the landlord saying they did not feel comfortable with the cameras recording audio and video as it felt like a breach of their privacy. The landlord did not respond for two weeks, so someone (renter’s bf) unplugged the cams.
Now, the landlord is asking what happened to the camera feed. It’s obvious they are just trying to hound us for parties (which is protected by renter’s rights) — but the electricity bill is also a big concern. I imagine there’s some legal consequences to having turned off the cameras without an RTB filing, is this correct?

EDIT: thanks for all the help!! To answer some questions yes we are all renting under one agreement as we’re university friends.

I asked my new landlord if they wanted to do a move-in inspection and they acted confused and said no. Could this hurt me in any way? I believe this means they couldn’t prove that any damage was done by me, so only pros for me, right?

Hi everyone, i have a couple of things i would like to ask you!
Me and my girlfriend are moving to Vancouver in january for the first time, we are from Italy. I was actually living in montreal for a couple of years from 2021 to 2023 and i remember at that time the difference was pretty big with vancouver, especially for costs and rents, but right now it feels the situation is kinda better in vancouver (or at least it just stayed the same lol) and on the other hand it got more expensive in montreal? Idk it feels like that… anyway, i would like to ask if you think a 2400ish is a fair value to look for a rent (1bd). I did check possible areas and found that fairview/kitsilano - mount pleasant could be our best options, are they safe/good to move around? And what about at night? Can you walk? Another option was eventually west end - davie village, but i feel it’s a lot of office and it may be a desert at night?
Let me know please! I would love to get a feedback on the areas and current situation there, or any advise as well. Thanks a lot!

Found a post on liv.rent, the place looks nice and cheap but for the application they asked me$ 200 for the application, they say it's refundable if I'm not chosen but sounds suspicious to me

I've lived in this crazy tiny box of an SRO for over a year. Never late on rent. I had a crazy dental issue this past month and needed to drop serious dough to not have my upper jaw rot away. And I just started a new job at beginning of the month. I got a notice today. I forget how it's worded but it's like 5 days to dispute this and 18 days till... (Eviction?) I paid a third of the rent and messaged LL to say what's happening and that I'll have the rent paid mid month. Idk when payday is yet. Think that I'll be evicted no matter what? I've never faced this before and am scared