B.C. eviction crackdown gets mixed reviews [Video]

As the NDP government moves to protect tenants in B.C. from bad-faith evictions – some who work in the housing industry are pushing back.

An issue of particular concern is the extension of the eviction notice period. Starting July 18, landlords will be required to give four months notice instead of two when evicting tenants for personal use.

That could make buying a home with existing tenants far more difficult because banks generally only lock in financing terms with prospective buyers for periods shorter than this four-month eviction notification period, according to a broker and a Realtor.

“If you’re doing subject to financing, which is a conservative, responsible thing to do, financing at major banks, credit unions and even private lending, are generally going to be up to 120 days, where they will hold your terms,” said Keaton Bessey, managing broker for Greater Vancouver Tenant & Property Management Ltd.

And …