Nearly all changes to the Residential Tenancy Act due to COVID-19 are being reversed

In March, the Government of BC made a number of changes to the Residential Tenancy Act to protect renters during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two biggest changes were a moratorium on rent increases and evictions.

Landlords are still banned from increasing a tenant’s rent, but the ban on evictions for any reason other than late payment or non-payment of rent has now been lifted.

In a release from the provincial government, it’s been announced that the following tenancy laws are resuming effective immediately:

• A landlord can now issue a Notice to End Tenancy for any reason (other than unpaid or late payment rent).
• Landlords with existing orders for eviction can take them to the courts beginning July 2, 2020, for enforcement and can enforce a writ order effective immediately.
• Landlords can enter a rental suite with 24-hour notice and do not need the tenant's consent. They are expected to follow health guidelines like physical distancing, cleaning and wearing masks when appropriate.
• The change also allows for personal service of documents to resume.
  

“The Province is committed to giving people advance notice before lifting the moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent at a future date,” said the release.

“A framework will be put in place that will require landlords to work with tenants to repay rent that is owing over a reasonable period of time.”

Landlords still have the ability to restrict access to common spaces, like game rooms, gyms or pools, for COVID-19 health reasons.