Thursday, March 28, 2024

B.C. NDP government extends freeze on rent increases until July 2021

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A ban on rent increases that was set to expire December 1 has now been extended into summer 2021.

In a statement released Monday, one day after the final vote count in the B.C. elections, the new NDP majority government announced an extension of the freeze on rent increases until July 10, 2021.

“This is an interim measure to provide stability and advance notice for renters and landlords while a new cabinet is sworn in,” reads the statement.

The rent freeze took effect in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was set to expire on December 1, 2020.

“We know many renters are still facing income loss and even the slightest increase in rent could be extremely challenging,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

“We are all in this together, and it is important for both renters and landlords that people can stay in their homes.”

Renters should disregard any notices of rent increase and continue paying their current rent until July 10, 2021.

During their reelection campaign, Premier John Horgan promised that his government would instate a freeze on rent increases until 2022, and limit rent increases after that point.

It remains to be seen whether the rent freeze will be extended past July.

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Brishti Basu
Former Senior Staff Writer and Content Manager at Victoria Buzz.

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