TENANT SUPPORT WORKER TO LOOK OUT FOR RENTERS’ RIGHTS
Province funding new tenant support worker position after seeing increased need for legal support for tenants
The province is hoping a new tenant support worker will help renters navigate the tenant dispute process and protect their rights.
The province will be funding the creation of the position, but it will be overseen and directed by the Community Legal Information Association of P.E.I. (CLIA). CLIA is a non-profit organization that provides legal information to Islanders.
The organization has been distributing a guide to tenant and landlord rights, in English, French and Mandarin for over three years.
The tenant support worker will provide tenants with assistance with rental concerns, develop educational material for tenants and support navigating the Rental of Residential Tenants complaint process. An educational website and phone line will also be developed.
CLIA currently provides information but often refers individuals seeking help with tenancy issues to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission, which oversees the legal process for tenants.
The province is currently in the midst of a review of tenancy matters related to the office of the director of residential tenants. But Finance Minister Heath MacDonald said the province felt that funding the outreach worker position was a tangible step that could be taken immediately to help ensure tenants’ rights were respected.
“We’re going to work with whoever’s responsible and ensure that the tenant rights and landlord obligations are clearly defined,” MacDonald said.
“Housing needs can contribute to other social problems. Ensuring that Islanders are well educated about tenant rights and have adequate supports to address their problems regarding their housing is critical,” said Ellen Mullally, executive director of CLIA.
The staff position will be funded for a full year. A review will then determine whether further support is needed.
As P.E.I.’s population has grown in recent years, the sluggish growth in rental construction has resulted in a severe shortage of rental properties. The Island’s vacancy rate stands at just 0.3 per cent while Charlottetown’s stands at 0.2 per cent.
Housing advocates have said tenants are increasingly being placed in precarious positions. They point to cases in which landlords may attempt to “renovict” tenants in order to either sell a property or to convert units to short-term rentals listed on sites such as Airbnb.
Hard data on tenancy disputes is difficult to obtain. IRAC does not track the number of evictions on P.E.I. or specifically track disputes related to evictions. However, the office of the director of residential tenants has noted an increase in call volumes from both tenants and landlords.
MacDonald said the review of tenancy matters should be completed this spring. The review may result in legislative changes to the Rental of Residential Property Act.