The B.C. government plans to lift a ban on evictions for non-payment of rent on September 1, meaning renters will need to be rent in full starting that month.

During the height of the pandemic, 97 per cent of B.C. renters continued to pay rent, with about 85 per cent paying in full and another 12 per cent making partial payments. As of July 9, nearly 85,000 British Columbians took advantage of the province’s temporary rental supports, which will continue until the end of August.

However, the province notes a repayment framework has been designed aimed at helping renters and landlords in arrears when the ban on evictions is lifted.

“As we carefully move forward with restarting the economy, we are taking the same measured approach to tenancy rules and giving people advance notice so they can plan,” Housing Minister Selina Robinson said in a statement.

“These changes will build on the extension of our Temporary Rent Supplement (TRS) program and give renters until next summer to gradually pay back any unpaid rent to help them maintain their housing, while also continuing the ban on rent increases until December.”

The repayment framework will apply once the ban on issuing evictions for non-payment of rent is lifted. Landlords will have to give the tenant until at least July 2021 to repay any outstanding rent in monthly instalments.

Renters will have at least 30 days to pay these instalments, with the first one due on the first day when rent is due once they get their repayment plan. Assuming people get their repayment plan before the end of August, it will be October 1 for most renters.

As an example, the province says someone owing $2,000 in unpaid rent could get a repayment framework as follows:

• The total amount of rent still owed ($2,000)
• The amount the renter is expected to pay each month (say $200 each month from October 2020 to July 2021)
• The date of the first payment is due (Oct. 1)

The province says landlords will have some flexibility to work with renters to further adjust the payment amounts, whether it be starting with smaller payments before gradually increasing, or whether it means an extension past July 2021.

As well to protect the people who live in apartments, landlords will still be able to restrict access to common spaces when required for COVID-19 related health reasons.