Editor: Add my building to the growing list of New West apartments being renovicted. A new owner, Rental Properties Ltd., took ownership of 311 Ash St. two weeks ago … (then) distributed letters to all the suites.
They instituted new $50 parking fees and advised us that they were seeking permits to renovate in order to bring the building up to “current code and standards.” The letter then explained that they were obligated to offer us one free month of rent before evicting us for the renovations. Then the letter offered, to compensate for our difficulty, to give us two free months’ rent if we agree to move out before the eviction notices are issued. In other words, if we take the offer before we are able to file any challenge to the eviction.
I’ve only lived there for four years. My rent when I moved in was probably slightly below market because four years ago it wasn’t that hard to find an apartment in New West, so there was at least some competition. Since moving in, my rent has gone up 12 per cent, which is in line with allowed yearly rent increases.
A similar suite in a new or renovated building in the area is going to cost me about 50 per cent more than what I currently pay. It’s going to cost the retiree down the hall from me, who’s lived there for over 20 years, close to double what she currently pays. Two months’ free rent won’t exactly make much of a dent in those costs.
This is not a building that’s falling down and dangerous – this is an older apartment building that was owned by one family for many years, who kept good care of it. My kitchen was upgraded when I moved in, my carpets and floors are in good shape – my suite doesn’t need renovation.
I understand the fact that real estate prices are going up. I don’t inherently object to paying something closer to market value, if the company wants to improve the suite. There isn’t an actual company to negotiate with here, though. No website, no owner’s name, just a generically named company with no history. This is just a straight house-flipping situation, on a larger scale. Only unlike house flipping, this leaves people in the streets looking for somewhere to live.
It’s great to hear that the government is looking at changing legislation to better protect renters, but these proposals are at least a year away – not much help to myself or, more importantly, the retirees in my building that are really going to be hurt by this.
Darren Mantle is a New Westminster resident.
