Empty homes tax has put more rental properties on the market, Vancouver mayor says

Vancouver has fewer vacant properties and the mayor says that's due to the city's empty homes tax.

Figures show the number of vacant homes declared in the city last year decreased by almost 15 per cent from 2018 and 30 per cent from 2017.

Mayor Kennedy Stewart says the tax is working and it shows that more homes are being returned to the rental market.

Stewart says the city would like to see even more homes available and that's why it's increasing the taxto 1.25 per cent of assessed taxable value this year.

The largest percentage of empty homes is in the city's West End and downtown areas.

Properties that were declared vacant or deemed vacant by the city will be issued a bill for one per cent of the 2019 assessed taxable value, with payment due by April 16.