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APRIL 3, 2024 • VOL. 57 NO. 7 • VANCOUVER, B.C.
Zayyan Shaibu, a Langara accounting student, said he was evicted from his apartment because of a renoviction. PHOTO BY ANNABEL BESSEM
Renters wary of credit score hit
New federal bill introduced last week raises concerns about who will benefit By ANNABEL BESSEM
and ALY GLENN
A
n international student from Nigeria who was evicted from his Vancouver home a few months ago is skeptical about the federal government’s proposal to tie credit scores to rent payments. Both the federal and provincial governments recently announced plans to strengthen protections for renters. Among the proposed changes by the federal government which will be unveiled in its budget later this month, is a proposal to see credit scores improved by paying rent on time. The aim is to help young renters become eligible for mortgages and break into the housing market. Zayyan Shaibu, an accounting student at Langara College, said
checking a credit score is no better scores to rent could be beneficial than a college GPA score because “it to landlords dealing with difficult doesn’t tell the full story.” He said it tenants. “If a tenant who becomes is “not a good idea to factor rent into predatory towards their landlord credit score decision making.” and doesn't treat their landlord with Peter Thanas, a Vancouver an appropriate amount of etiquette landlord, said or respect, then, the connecyeah, as a land“That someone tion between lord, I probably rent and credit would report can use their scores could be them [to the a “disaster for credit bureau],” rental history as the lower end said Thanas. market tenants.” O t h e r part of their credit He said measures introscore will help m a rg i n a l i ze d duced by the renters need federal governmany people.” “real and true ment last week — RAVI KAHLON, HOUSING MINISTER support, and included a $15 they probably million fund for need additional subsidies that are legal aid and tenants’ rights advorealistic and that are sensible and cacy groups and creating a Canarelative to current market costs.” dian Renters’ Bill of Rights that However, he said tying credit would require landlords to be trans-
parent about past rental prices. The federal government also promised a national standard lease agreement and a crackdown on renovictions. Provincial Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said in an email statement to the Voice that B.C. welcomed the initiatives by the federal government. “The idea that someone can use their rental history as part of their credit score will help many people in our communities who have trouble getting their credit scores up, particularly new immigrants who arrive and have zero credit score.” Shaibu said when he was evicted from his home, he “just pretty much got kicked out of the place.” He said the landlord needed “to do some ‘air quotes’ renovations.” But he doubts that was the reason. “You know, essentially, he wanted to get in fresh new students ... then he could now increase the pricing.”
The provincial government introduced yesterday changes to the Residential Tenancy Act it hopes will reduce evictions, speed up rental disputes and restrict rent increases if a tenant adds a child under 19 to the household. Spencer Chandra Herbert, NDP MLA for Vancouver-West End, and the premier’s liaison for renters in the Vancouver area, said the legislation will benefit landlords as much as it helps renters. “I do think the provincial legislation that we introduced today will actually help support landlords to rent out homes more than they are now, because it’ll give them greater certainty around dealing with things like late payments with tenants that are problematic, giving them greater security around those issues so they can feel confident renting their homes out,” Chandra Herbert said.