Seniors are being threatened with eviction from retirement homes because they can’t afford increases to the cost of meals, laundry, cleaning and other services provided as part of their tenancy, says B.C.’s seniors advocate.
“Raising fees that must be paid as a condition of tenancy is the same as raising the rent,” he said. “The law is very clear that anything a tenant is required to pay to the landlord as part of their tenancy, whether it is for meals or a parking spot, is included as part of the rent and protected by the annual allowable rent increase.”
“The inequities faced by seniors stem from the very design of RTB dispute resolution process and the inherent power imbalance,” he said. “On the one side, the often large companies running independent living residences have the funds and organizational capacity to hire lawyers and present strong cases, and on the other, is a senior who is attempting to present their case before the arbitrator, usually by themselves.
Lake said many retirement homes wouldn’t be able to operate if they couldn’t pass on cost increases for food and labour to residents. Rent increases are already limited in line with provincial policy. The vacancy rate in B.C. retirement homes varies at around 15 per cent, meaning seniors can choose to move if they want to find a more affordable facility, he said.
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