Anti-poverty activists rallied at a Residential Tenancy Branch in Burnaby on Thursday, calling for a meeting with Housing Minister Rich Coleman to discuss changes to the Residential Tenancy Act.
According to ACORN, the act doesn't go far enough in protecting tenants from landlords, and the activists want provincewide standards for maintenance and automatic penalties for landlords who fail to provide repairs and better protection for tenants. Approximately 40 people came out to the Thursday event.
"The rally went well," said ACORN's Monica McGovern. "It was very peaceful and respectful. There was lots of support on the street, cars honking in support and pedestrians taking flyers and signing petitions. The supervisor came out to inform us that she had faxed our letter to Housing Minister Rich Coleman, requesting a meeting with him."
ACORN cited numerous housing problems: tenant harassment, landlords refusing to deal with mold or repairs, and "reno-victions," when landlords evict tenants so they can renovate the suite then rent it at a much higher rate.
"I think the Residential Tenancy Act needs to change to ensure all tenants live in safe healthy homes and needed repairs are done in a timely manner, that inspectors come out to see homes needing emergency repairs, that landlords face fines that are collectable for negligence and intimidation," McGovern said.
The Residential Tenancy Act outlines rules for tenants and landlords regarding repairs. Landlords are responsible for keeping the building in a reasonable state that meets health and safety standards. Tenants are responsible to repair any damage they or their guests have caused.
ACORN also cited a case involving the infamous Sahota family, which owns a Surrey building with a leaky roof in need of repair. The family was fined $115,000, but the penalty was dropped because the Sahotas are fixing the roof, although the repairs are not done, and tenants have been evicted.
This is the second demonstration ACORN has held in Burnaby recently. On Wednesday, July 24, ACORN members gathered at a Burnaby social assistance office, demanding better disability payments, and exempting received child support payments from deductions made to welfare and disability.
