Threat of 40 per cent rent increase is a loophole that needs closing
Surrey city councillors are sounding the alarm on the growing crisis faced by tenants in Surrey. Recent reports of massive rent increases and the threat of evictions have raised serious concerns about the affordability and stability of rental housing in the city.
While Mandeep Nagra and Doug Elford of the Safe Surrey Coalition attribute this dire situation to Mayor Brenda Locke’s decision to increase property taxes by an unprecedented 12.5%, up from the previous rate of 2.9%.
Surrey First Councillor Linda Annis on the other hand feels renters in Winsome Place Apartments who have been told to accept a 40 per cent rent hike, or face the possibility of their apartments being sold, deserve some help from city hall.
The substantial property tax hike has directly resulted in increased costs for landlords, putting immense pressure on them to pass these expenses onto tenants. As a consequence, many vulnerable tenants are now facing the risk of eviction due to unaffordable rent increases. Councillors Nagra and Elford firmly believe that urgent action is needed to address this crisis and prevent further hardships for Surrey residents.
“It is deeply troubling to see our fellow residents facing such challenging circumstances,” said Councillor Mandeep Nagra. “Surrey has been known for its affordability, but the recent property tax increase has disrupted the delicate balance between landlords and tenants. We must find a solution that protects our tenants and preserves the integrity of our rental housing market.”
“Can you imagine being a senior on a fixed income and getting a notice that tells you to accept a 40 per cent rent hike, or face being evicted when your apartment is sold,” said Annis. “That increase is 20 times the two per cent allowable increase, but the threat is legal right now. It’s a loophole that should be changed. How many people, particularly the many vulnerable seniors living in this particular building, can afford a whopping 40 per cent increase in rent? It’s unconscionable and I’m glad our city staff are looking at providing council with some options to correct situations like this. For instance, in 2018 New Westminster created rental-only zones that provide secure rentals over the long term and stability for both renters and landlords.”
Annis said she also wants the city to look at providing development incentives to Surrey’s developers in order to dramatically increase the number of rentals in BC’s second largest city, where the population is growing by more than 1,000 new residents every month.
“Surrey’s seniors deserve better, and I think city hall can help find a solution, while getting more housing built faster,” added Annis. “Just because something is legal doesn’t always make it right, and this instance proves the point. These so-called ‘voluntary’ increases aren’t really voluntary if they’re attached to a threat that you’re going to be homeless because your apartment is going to be sold out from under you. I don’t think that’s how we should be doing business in our city.”
