Advocates call on B.C. to scrap no-pet clauses in rental units
Advocates are calling on the B.C. government to prohibit no-pet clauses in multi-rental unit housing.
First United and the BC SPCA say that blanket pet bans can contribute to displacement and homelessness, as well as force people to give up their pets if they can’t find a place that allows pets.
This can have a particularly negative impact on vulnerable groups like women escaping violence, 2SLGBTQAI+, and seniors.
“People should not have to choose between surrendering their pet and having a home,” said Sarah Marsden, First United’s director of systems change and legal.
The BC SPCA has seen over 12,400 pets come into its care due to housing reasons since 2014.
“These numbers only represent animals surrendered to the BC SPCA, not those surrendered to other organizations, rehomed privately or sadly, abandoned as strays,” said Sarah Herring, BC SPCA’s government relations officer, in an email to Daily Hive.
An election promise
During the 2024 provincial election, the NDP promised to “end the bias against pet owners in purpose-built rental buildings.”
The two charities want the government to amend the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA). First United submitted recommendations to the government, suggesting it prohibit pet restrictions in rental buildings with five or more units.
“This change recognizes the difference between small and large landlords and the important role that single-unit owners play in the rental housing market in B.C. For a landlord that owns a large building, or even a few units, it’s illogical to forego hundreds of thousands of dollars in rental revenue based on speculations about pet damage,” it wrote.
First United reviewed Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) decisions on pet damage, and found that it was less than tenant deposits in over 82 per cent of cases.
It also conducted a B.C. eviction survey, where they heard from tenants who struggled to find pet-friendly housing, including someone with a government-registered service dog.
Daily Hive also recently spoke with a pet owner who said that it was challenging for her to find a pet-friendly rental, which prompted her to buy a condo.
What does Vancouver think of it?
In 2020, the Vancouver City Council passed a motion calling for an end to “no pet” restrictions, where they asked City staff to look into mechanisms the municipal government can use to “curb landlords’ right to refuse rental on the basis of pet ownership,” and requested that the mayor ask the provincial government to end “no pet” rules.
What do you think of B.C.’s pet restrictions? Let us know in the comments.