Renters of illegal suites in B.C. can get COVID-19 subsidy at no risk to landlords

Renters may be worried that they won’t qualify for the new rent subsidy if they live in an illegal suite, even if they’re lost their jobs to COVID-19. Or, they may fear that their landlords will be caught operating illegally.

B.C. Housing says not to worry.

“As long as a renter can show that they meet the eligibility requirements, then they are eligible for the program, regardless of the legal status of their home,” B.C. Housing senior communications advisor Matthew Borghese said in an email.

Tenants have to start the application process online then their landlords are emailed so they can complete the application.

If the landlord isn’t cooperating, renters can call B.C. Housing at 1-877-757-2577 to get help.

If landlords fear that a Freedom of Information request from City Hall will expose them to fines or closures, again, not to worry.

“Landlords and tenants can be assured that B.C. Housing will not share their information with any other government bodies,” Borghese wrote. “In the event of a (freedom of information) request, personal information, such as names and addresses of people, would be redacted under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act – properties, landlords and tenants would not be identifiable.”

Most cities only crack down on illegal suites if someone complains. Often such complaints are tied to parking issues or noise.

“A list from the province really wouldn’t do us much good because we don’t have the resources to do enforcement on the list anyway,” Tom Wilson, the City of Kelowna’s communications supervisor, said in an email. “During a housing crises, this would be an even lower priority. We could probably get the same information elsewhere (utility billing, etc.).”

Kelowna doesn’t have a count on the number of illegal suites but does issue about 250 tickets a year in response to complaints.

For more information on the provincial rent subsidy program, go here.

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