In Burnaby, tenants are protected from displacement due to rezoning redevelopment through the City’s Tenant Assistance Policy. The policy is one of the most progressive in Canada, with four pillars of support for tenants.
- help finding a new place to rent, if requested
- rent top-up payments, if needed, to bridge the gap between current rent and rent for a new unit
- financial support for moving and help with making arrangements, if requested
- the right to return to the redeveloped building at the same rent (plus any Residential Tenancy Act rent increases) in a unit with the same number of bedrooms
The policy was developed in response to the Mayor’s Task Force on Community Housing recommendation that the City develop a robust Tenant Assistance Policy. The policy establishes enhanced standards for accommodating and assisting tenants of multiple family market rental buildings who are displaced from homes as a result of major redevelopment or renovation that requires rezoning. The policy is one of several policies, strategies and regulations that support the City's efforts to address the full housing system and to support the needs of residents in Burnaby.
Who is protected?
Tenants who live in a purpose-built market rental building with 5 or more units when a rezoning is initiated for a redevelopment or renovation project are protected. The policy doesn't apply to community housing that is operated as a below-market rental or to housing co-operatives.
Information for tenants
A key pillar of support is that tenants have the right to return to the new development at the same rent (plus any Residential Tenancy Act rent increases) to a unit with the same number of bedrooms.
Tenants have flexible options for choosing where they'll live while their building is being redeveloped or renovated. This is called “interim housing” under the policy. Tenants can find their own interim housing or have the developer help them find suitable options. The developer will make every effort to find an interim unit within the same area of Burnaby unless the tenant requests otherwise.
While the redevelopment or renovation project is underway, tenants will receive a rent top-up payment to bridge the gap between the rent they paid for their old unit and what they'll pay for their interim housing.
Rent top-ups are provided one of two ways. If tenants choose to live in interim housing provided by the developer, they'll continue to pay the same rent. If they choose to find their own interim housing, they'll continue to pay the same rent and will receive a rent top-up (paid by the developer) for the difference between the old and new rents up to a calculated maximum. The maximum top-up available is equal to 15% of the tenant’s current rent, or 30% above the median rent for a similar unit in the same neighbourhood, whichever is greater.
Median rents are based on data provided by the federal housing agency, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). They can be viewed through the CMHC Housing Market Information Portal.
The latest median rents are from 2022 and are provided in the table below.
Unit size | Central Park/Metrotown | Southeast Burnaby | North Burnaby |
---|---|---|---|
Studio |
$1,200 |
$930 |
$975 |
1-bedroom |
$1,300 |
$1,250 |
$1,475 |
2-bedroom |
$1,742 |
$1,675 |
$1,700 |
3-bedroom + |
$2,000 |
$1,800* |
$1,978 |
*Data from 2021; this rate may be adjusted at the City’s discretion.
Moving can be stressful. Developers will help tenants by providing a moving service, or financial compensation if a tenant wants to arrange the move themselves.
Tenants will have the option of either:
- an insured moving company, arranged by the developer, or
- a cash payout based on the unit (studio/one bedroom: $900, two-bedrooms: $1,200, three or more bedrooms: $1,400)
When the Tenant Assistance Policy applies, developers will hire a Tenant Relocation Coordinator to assist tenants and deliver on all the items in the policy.
Tenant Relocation Coordinators are responsive and available to answer questions by phone or email during regular hours. Their contact information will be shared with all tenants and posted in the building.
If you were a resident at one of these addresses on the date specified, and have never been contacted about your Tenant Assistance Policy benefits, please reach out to the Renters Office at [email protected] or 604-294-7750.
If you have already been in contact with the Renters Office or your Tenant Relocation Coordinator, no further action is needed.
Address | Eligibility date | Rezoning number | Version of TAP |
---|---|---|---|
5895 Barker | January 29, 2018 | 17-40 | 2020 |
4960 Bennett | April 9, 2018 | 16-13 | 2020 |
3846, 3890 Carrigan Court | August 11, 2020 | 20-18 | 2020 |
6366 Cassie | April 9, 2018 | 17-34 | 2020 |
6645, 6647, 6651, 6659, 6661, 6675, and 6691 Dow | December 4, 2018 | 18-49 | 2020 |
6540 Marlborough | October 29, 2019 | 18-31 | 2020 |
6556, 6566, 6580 Marlborough Avenue | January 29, 2018 | 17-30 | 2020 |
4241 Maywood | April 16, 2018 | 17-27 | 2020 |
4330 Maywood | June 11, 2018 | 17-10004 | 2020 |
4355 Maywood | April 27, 2018 | 18-21 | 2020 |
6433 McKay | April 9, 2018 | 17-34 | 2020 |
5868 Olive | September 30, 2017 | 17-10000 | 2020 |
5900 Olive | April 9, 2018 | 17-10001 | 2020 |
5852 Patterson | January 29, 2018 | 17-35 | 2020 |
6665 Royal Oak | July 29, 2017 | 17-10016 | 2020 |
6444 Silver | June 11, 2018 | 17-39 | 2020 |
6620, 6630 Sussex | September 16, 2019 | 18-20 | 2020 |
6525, 6521, 6537 Telford | January 29, 2018 | 17-26, 21-07 | 2020 |
6615 Telford | September 16, 2019 | 18-13 | 2020 |
6630 Telford | May 7, 2018 | 18-23 | 2020 |
6280, 6350 Willingdon | January 25, 2018 | 18-03 | 2020 |
6444 Willingdon | April 16, 2018 | 17-27 | 2020 |
6622, 6688 Willingdon | April 23, 2021 | 21-19 | 2020 |
6075 Wilson | April 16, 2018 | 17-28 | 2020 |