New map of B.C. evictions paints grim picture of ‘high stakes’ for tenants

A new first-of-its kind report in B.C. reveals many evicted tenants are ending up homeless, and highlights concerns about the rules under which landlords can force someone out.

A new report on evictions in British Columbia, billed as the first of its kind, has painted yet another bleak picture of the province’s rental market.

Vancouver’s First United Church surveyed 443 people who had recently been evicted for everything from cause to “Landlord use,” a legal provision for cases where the landlord claims they or a close family member intends to move in.

Among the most sobering findings were how many evictees were left homeless.

Among all respondents, 27 per cent said they hadn’t found a new home. Among people of colour it was 31 per cent, while 34 per cent of people with disabilities said they couldn’t find a new home and 45 per cent of Indigenous people said they hadn’t found a new place to live.

The report also found many people were evicted informally — by text message or phone — rather than with the proper use of a legal eviction notice.

The challenges facing tenants are no surprise to Nadeem Saleh, a BCIT student with a disability who told Global News he was evicted due to a shady rental situation involving a property agent.

Saleh said he and nine other tenants believed they were renting their home from the landlord, but the person they had an agreement with was actually subletting to them from the real landlord.

In January, the group was shocked to find they were suddenly being thrown out in to the street.