Rental Housing
Given the trend of rising housing costs in Metro Vancouver, we are committed to maintaining an affordable and diverse housing market. Renting in Port Moody is more affordable than owning a home. However, it is still expensive for many residents. We have put a series of tenant policies in place to help protect renters from increased costs and displacement.
Port Moody tenant protection and relocation policies
Are you a potential developer, landlord or tenant in Port Moody? Review our tenant protection and relocation policies.
- Rental Protection Policy – discourages the removal of affordable and sub-market rental housing in Port Moody. This policy promotes the replacement of existing rental units with those of a similar form, size, and number.
- Tenant Relocation Assistance Policy – lays out the City’s guidelines around notification, financial compensation, and relocation should a tenant be displaced. The City requires a Relocation Coordinator to assist tenants with finding new housing if they are displaced as a result of the redevelopment of an existing rental unit.
- Strata Conversion Policy – states that Council must consider the priority of rental accommodation over privately-owned housing in the area.
- Regulations for Market Rental Apartment Businesses (Renoviction Bylaw) – updates the City’s Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw to discourage potential renovictions where tenants are evicted from market rental dwelling units under the guise of renovations for the purpose of increasing rents. More information on the bylaw amendment can be found in the Report to Council.
Port Moody Standards of Maintenance Bylaw
Standards of Maintenance Bylaw No. 3467 sets a basic standard for rental building systems, such as plumbing, building exteriors, floors, pests, mould, heating, electrical, and more. The standards are set to keep these systems free of health, fire, and accidental hazards. Regular maintenance may extend the lifespan of a residential rental building, in turn enabling affordable rentals in Port Moody.
We encourage tenants and landlords to read about the application of the bylaw prior to contacting the City.
Port Moody Standards of Maintenance and the provincial Residential Tenancy Branch Repairs and Maintenance |
Our Standards of Maintenance Bylaw can work in tandem with the provincial government’s Residential Tenancy Branch for repairs and maintenance. Tenants can pursue both the municipal bylaw path and the Residential Tenancy Branch repairs and maintenance path. The City’s bylaw may be used as evidence of failure to meet Section 32 of the Residential Tenancy Act, where a landlord must provide a rental unit and property that is healthy, safe, and secure for a tenant to live in. |
Information and online complaint form for tenants |
If the rental unit you’re living in has issues related to poor maintenance and neglect, the City may be able to help. Tenants must attempt to resolve any issues with the landlord first before contacting the City. The City is not the first call for maintenance. While the City cannot guarantee that the problem will be resolved immediately, staff will work with both the tenant and the landlord with the goal of reaching a successful conclusion. Please note: It must be the current tenant who submits a complaint to the City. This allows us to obtain access to the unit through the tenant. In rare cases, the City may investigate a property after a tenant has moved out if there are serious health and safety issues with the unit. To file a complaint, tenants can fill out and submit the Standards of Maintenance Bylaw Complaint Form. The form requires an upload of tenant/landlord correspondence. Documentation of correspondence is required for the City to proceed with your application, and we are unable to take action without it. Tenant resources |
Information for landlords |
Bylaw No. 3567 sets standards that a property should be maintained to, ensuring a safe and healthy rental accommodation. When the City receives a maintenance complaint, staff will investigate and follow up on the reported non-compliance and issue notice to the landlord. Depending on the outcome, fines may be applied in accordance with the Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw Amendment No. 3218. Fines are set based on a review of other municipal standards of maintenance bylaws (PDF) and an assessment of feasibility for Port Moody. Landlords can dispute a municipal ticket issued for the Standards of Maintenance Bylaw by completing a Quash Request form. Landlord resources
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For questions, please contact bylaw@portmoody.ca
BC tenant protection
The Government of BC also has a series of guidelines and resources to help protect the rights of tenants in the province. This includes laws surrounding rental and leasing agreements.
You can also visit the Tenant Resources and Advisory Centre (TRAC) website for information on better understanding tenant-landlord law in British Columbia. TRAC is a non-profit organization that provides free legal education, representation, and advocacy on residential tenancy matters in BC.
Tenant services
BC Housing offers external supports and resources to tenants at risk of losing their tenancy and/or looking for rental housing, including:
- A list of non-market rental buildings and co-ops available to those in need. Individuals can apply via the Housing Registry.
- Rental subsidy programs: Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters (SAFER) for low-income seniors (60+ years old). Individuals can apply via the website.
- BC211 is a non-profit society that connects people to community, health and government resources for help, where and when they need it.