Last Date Modified Friday, March 22, 2013

For many renters, owning a home is a long-term goal, which they save towards over many years. For others, renting may be the best option.

Now a new online searchable Rental Standards Database, launched by the City of Vancouver, will help renters by providing up-to-date information about 2,500 rental buildings in the City of Vancouver.

“The City’s new Rental Standards Database is our latest step to help Vancouver renters and motivate property owners and landlords to keep their properties in good condition,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson.

Searchable database

The database includes information about all licensed rental buildings in Vancouver with five or more residential units that have current health and safety bylaw issues or violations, or issues that have been addressed and resolved within the past 12 months.

The types of buildings covered in the database are single-room occupancy hotels, private rental housing, social housing and supportive housing units. These make up approximately 2,500 buildings, or 70,000 of Vancouver’s 131,000 rental units. Both privately and publicly-owned units are included.

The database includes the property address, the landlord or property owner’s name, and any unresolved issues. Issues that have been resolved within the past 12 months are also listed. Issues include:

  • standards of maintenance;
  • fire safety;
  • building safety;
  • electrical, plumbing, gas and sewer;
  • untidy premises; and
  • zoning use and regulations.

Updated daily

The database, which is updated daily, is searchable by address or by buildings with current violations. A Google map also lets renters search by neighbourhood.

“Making sure existing rental housing is safe for renters is a key priority in our Affordable Housing and Homelessness Strategy,” explains Mayor Robertson.

Information on single family homes, laneway housing, secondary suits, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, strata buildings and unlicensed rentals is not a part of the Rental Standards Database.

To learn more, visit: www.Vancouver.ca/SafeRental