A North Vancouver landlord must pay his former tenant more than $46,000 for failing to follow through on his stated reasons for their eviction, the B.C. Supreme Court has ruled.
Under the Residential Tenancy Act, a tenant may be evicted “if the landlord or a close family member of the landlord intends in good faith to occupy the rental unit,” but if they fail to follow through, a Residential Tenancy Branch arbitrator may order the landlord to pay the tenant the equivalent of 12 months’ rent.“Ending a tenancy is a very serious matter, and in the case of a landlord ending a tenancy for the landlord’s use of the property, the landlord cannot be indecisive.
At the time he delivered the two-months’ notice, Shigani’s stated reason was that he was planning to move his daughter into the home for her stability and wellness. After the eviction notice was delivered, though, her condition had worsened and the family did not follow through.