New legislation to allow B.C. tenants to terminate leases in case of 'household violence'

A law change that would help renters at riskfromdomestic and intimate violence passed third reading at the B.C. legislature Thursday.

The amendments to the Residential Tenancy Act, introduced by Green Party MLA Andrew Weaver, wouldallow tenants toend a fixed-term lease if staying in their suite posesa threat to their safety or security.

The changesbuild on the existing provisions in the act originally introduced to help victims of family violence. The changes includenew language "household violence" which covers physical, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse by anyone that occupies a rental unit against another person.

"It expands on the [existing] provisions ...andgives, for example, someone who is sexually assaulted by their roommate or neighbour the right to break their lease so that they can move to a safer home," said Weaver at the introduction of the bill.

The amendments also broadenwho can verify whether a tenant is being victimized. In addition to the police, those who can vouch for a tenant includemedical practitioners, counsellors, First Nations support workers and victims support workers.

According to the non-profit organizationEnding Violence Association of British Columbia, there are approximately 60,000 incidents of sexual and domestic violence in B.C. every year.