Rental Tenant Relocation Assistance Project
On 2026-JUL-27, Council adopted the "Residential Tenant Assistance Bylaw 2026 No. 7459" and related amendments to the "Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2012 No. 7159". The City of Nanaimo's Residential Tenant Assistance Bylaw requires rental building owners to communicate and provide financial compensation to tenants displaced due to the redevelopment (demolition or partial demolition) of purpose-built rental buildings containing four (4) or more rental units.
Residential Tenant Assistance Bylaw FAQs
What properties does the Bylaw apply to?
The Residential Tenant Assistance Bylaw applies city-wide to the redevelopment (demolition or partial demolition) of a building containing four (4) or more rental units that will result in the displacement of tenants.
The Bylaw does not apply to secondary rentals (e.g. suites or single-family dwellings) or renovations (where a unit is not being demolished).
Who is eligible for support under the Bylaw?
The Residential Tenant Assistance Bylaw defines "tenant" as a person or persons residing in a rental unit on whose tenancy agreement is terminated in relation to a proposed redevelopment.
The following types of tenants would not be eligible for support under the Bylaw:
- Tenants evicted for cause.
- Sub-tenants who do not have a tenancy agreement with the rental building owner.
- Roommates/occupants who are not named on a written tenancy agreement.
Additionally, redevelopment for the purpose of constructing 100% non-market housing, where comparable tenant assistance measures have been demonstrated, would be exempt from the Bylaw requirements.
I just found out that the building I live in may be redeveloped. Does the property owner have to follow the Bylaw?
If you live in a building that has four (4) or more rental units that will be demolished or partially demolished, requiring you to permanently vacate the property, the rental building owner will need to comply with the Bylaw.
- If you have questions or concerns about the requirements outlined in the Residential Tenant Assistance Bylaw, you can connect with Community Planning Staff at 250-755-4464 or by email at communityplanning@nanaimo.ca.
- If you have any questions or concerns about evictions that don't fall under the City's Residential Tenant Assistance Bylaw, please contact the Residential Tenancy Branch at 1-800-665-8779 or by email at HSRTO@gov.bc.ca
- Progress
January 2025 – Staff completed a review of tenant protection policies from other municipalities, and presented these to Council at the 2025-JAN-20 Council meeting.
Spring/Summer 2025 - A land economist consultant completed a financial feasibility analysis, using high-level feasibility modelling of potential new development in the City, to inform policy discussions of a developer’s capacity to offer tenant protection compensations.
Winter 2025/2026 - Staff worked with a consultant to undertake engagement with stakeholders and to develop tenant relocation and compensation conditions that are appropriate and responsive to Nanaimo’s housing context.
Winter/Spring 2026 - Planning and land economist consultants completed an Engagement Summary Report, Best Practices Report, Financial Analysis, and Recommendations Report.
June 2026 - Staff presented a report to the 2026-JUN-15 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting.
July 2026 - Staff presented the "Residential Tenant Assistance Bylaw 2026 No. 7459" and “Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 7159.27” at the 2026-JUL-20 Council meeting where both bylaws received three readings. At their 2026-JUL-27 meeting, Council adopted the "Residential Tenant Assistance Bylaw 2026 No. 7459" and related amendments to the "Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2012 No. 7159".
- Documents
- Details
OTHER LINKS
- The Nanaimo Rent Bank provides interest-free loans to help low-to-moderate income renters in the Nanaimo region who are experiencing challenges with paying their rent and/or essential utilities.
- Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS) offers legal advocacy services around residential tenancy, income assistance and support for securing housing.
- The Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC) has created a guide on various tenant rights and responsibilities.
- Background
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
Residents in older rental apartment buildings can be vulnerable to displacement and may have limited affordable options when their properties are considered for redevelopment. The objective of this project was to support tenants at risk of displacement due to the redevelopment of buildings with four or more purpose-built rental units. The project goal was to develop a policy and/or regulatory framework that supports tenants facing displacement due to redevelopment. As of July 2026, the City of Nanaimo had business licences for 108 purpose-built rental apartment buildings for an estimated 4,200 rental units. A significant number of these buildings were built between the 1960s and 1980s. As these buildings reach the end of their life cycle, the City may begin to see redevelopment of existing rental stock, supported by City Plan policies and zoning regulations that encourage higher density on many of these sites. As a result of redevelopment, displaced tenants may face increased housing costs, lower quality housing, and forced relocation and community displacement.
In April 2024, the Province passed “Bill 16 – Housing Statutes Amendment Act, 2024” which amended the Community Charter and the Local Government Act to provide municipalities with the authority to develop tenant protection bylaws that can require property owners and developers to provide support to tenants facing displacement in cases of redevelopment, beyond the Residential Tenancy Act requirements.
This project was in response to City Plan Policy C3.2.15: Require tenant relocation plans as a condition of rezoning or redevelopment of existing mobile home parks and purpose-built rental buildings of four or more units; and Integrated Action Plan Priority Action #73: Create a tenant relocation policy to support tenants impacted by redevelopment and displacement.
For more information about this project please visit https://www.getinvolvednanaimo.ca/tenant-assistance
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