B.C. court quashes SRO rent control bylaw

A City of Vancouver bylaw that sought to control rents at single room occupancy buildings is facing another legal defeat.

The BC Court of Appeal upheld a previous ruling that found the city didn’t have the jurisdiction to limit rents in the SROs.

In the initial ruling, a Supreme Court judge found the city’s decision to adopt the bylaws was “unreasonable,” and it was subsequently quashed.

The city appealed this initial decision, but the court found, once again, that provisions in the Vancouver Charter prohibited the city from imposing the bylaw.

Had it been approved, the 2021 bylaw would have required landlords to increase rent at the rate of inflation for rents at $500 a month, and for rents under $500, it would have increased at the rate of inflation plus five per cent.

SRO operators successfully argued that the power to control rents lies with the province under the Residential Tenancy Act and the city bylaw would have just duplicated existing regulations.

In a statement to The Leader Spirit, the city says it’s disappointed with the court’s decision and is assessing next steps.

“The City respects the judicial process and remains committed to addressing the urgent need for low-income housing and protecting low-income residents residing in SROs,” it stated.

-With files from Cole Schisler