B.C. has levied its first fine under the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) to a Surrey landlord who failed to maintain his rental property despite several orders from the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB).
The landlord, identified only by his advocate as “GM,” was fined $115,000 including the maximum one-time penalty of $5,000, plus $500 per day for each of the 220 days that the landlord failed to comply with a RTB order. The fine must be paid by May 15.
It remains unclear, however, whether the penalty will ever be paid.
The RTA allows for an agreement to be reached that would permit a reduction or a cancellation of the penalty if the landlord meets certain conditions, which remain unmet.
One of the biggest concerns of the tenant was that water was leaking into the property through the roof.
The RTB decision can be found by clicking here.
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