EDITORIAL Trying to be fair on rentals

The members of B.C.’s new rental-housing task force will need the wisdom of Solomon to fulfil their mandate. Premier John Horgan wants the group to suggest changes to tenancy laws to give better protection to both landlords and renters.

The task force will be headed by Spencer Chandra Herbert, NDP MLA for Vancouver-West End.

It has been 16 years since the last review of the Residential Tenancy Act, and the housing situation in the province has changed dramatically in that time. Vacancy rates are at rock bottom, rents are out of reach for many people and tenants are being “renovicted” out of their homes. Landlords say their interests are not being protected, and new rules will make it harder for them to screen tenants.

Both groups say they don’t always get the help they need from the Residential Tenancy Branch.

Meanwhile, the new speculation tax, which is designed to make housing more available and affordable, has yet to take effect. No one knows what impact it will have on the rental market.

Everyone has horror stories about tenants from hell and landlords from hell, but most people on both sides of the equation just want laws that treat them fairly. Tenants want affordable places to live without the fear of being forced out, and landlords want a reasonable return on investment while their properties are cared for properly.

The task force must try to strike that balance.