If you’re a renter, under what circumstances can your landlord evict you legally? What recourse do renters have to make sure that evictions are by the book? This is VANCOLOUR host Mo Amir asks Kyla Lee (Acumen Law) to explain the legal basics when it comes to evictions in British Columbia.
On This is VANCOLOUR, Kyla Lee of Acumen Law joins Mo Amir to break down what landlords can and can’t do when it comes to evicting tenants in British Columbia.
Legal grounds for eviction include:
- Chronic late or nonpayment of rent
- Breaching a fundamental term of the lease
- Landlord or immediate family member (parent, spouse, child) moving in
- Major renovations requiring vacancy
“It could be chronic late rent… or moving in an immediate family member,” Kyla explains.
“Can’t move in your friend and evict a tenant to do that. That would be illegal.”
Minor issues like noise complaints or putting thumbtacks in the wall won’t cut it unless they violate a key lease term.
“You get a little leeway. If you’re putting thumbtacks in the wall, you’re probably not gonna be evicted lawfully for that.”
Kyla also warns about bad faith evictions, such as landlords pretending to move in a relative or claiming superficial renovations as justification to raise rent.
“The big two are moving in a family member that isn’t actually a family member… and the reno-viction.”
Tenants can challenge evictions through the Residential Tenancy Branch.
“Evictions are very strictly controlled. There has to be proper documentation… and you have the opportunity to dispute.”
