Residential Tenant Displacement Policy
The City's Residential Tenant Displacement Policy provides tenants who are displaced as the result of the redevelopment of rental accommodation with enhanced notice and assistance.
The policy applies to all rezoning applications that would result in the demolition of any building or combination of buildings containing five or more dwelling units occupied by tenants as their primary place of residence. This includes rental units in single family homes, duplexes and coach houses, strata units operating as rental units, and purpose-built rental units. The policy does not replace or affect the requirements in the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA).
Tenancies active when the rezoning application is submitted to the City are eligible for support under this policy. Tenants who move into an existing vacant rental unit after the rezoning application is submitted are not expected to receive the same support as pre-existing tenants. The current version of the policy was adopted on July 12, 2021 and it applies to all applications submitted after that date. Rezoning applications submitted prior to July 12, 2021 are subject to the previous 2015 policy.
The measures outlined in the policy represent a voluntary commitment by the development applicant to provide additional measures to support renters in the City of North Vancouver. The following commitments are requested by the development applicant as part of their Tenant Assistance Package:
- Tenant Communication Plan that proactively engages and notifies tenants throughout the development application process.
- Designation of an independent, professional Tenant Relocation Coordinator to support tenants throughout the process, and to aid tenants in finding up to three comparable rental units.
- Additional assistance for low income tenants and others facing barriers.
- Financial compensation equivalent to four months’ current rent. Tenants whose tenancy began five or more years prior to the date the rezoning application is submitted are eligible for additional financial assistance based on the length of time they have resided in the building.
- Flat rate payment for moving expenses, based on number of bedrooms.
- First right of refusal to rent a Mid-Market Rent (MMR) Unit in the new building, provided the tenant meets the eligibility requirements for the MMR unit.
Residential Tenancy Act (RTA)
The Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) is the provincial law that outlines BC tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities. It includes items such as the process for creating and ending a tenancy, regulations during a tenancy, rent increases and deposits, and other rights and responsibilities. The RTA is administered through the Residential Tenancy Branch of the BC government.