File photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Secondary Suites

Real estate association hopes new suite rules lead to more existing suites getting the thumbs up

Jul 13, 2019 | 12:06 PM

KAMLOOPS — The head of the Kamloops and District Real Estate Association (KADREA) says she hopes new rules around secondary suites in Kamloops encourage existing landlords to get their suites approved by City Hall.

This week, Kamloops council passed new rules that will allow suites in most residential areas of the city without going through the public hearing process.

KADREA President Wendy Runge says there are thousands of suites built into Kamloops homes, and only a small percentage are considered legal.

“I have clients all the time saying, ‘Well, we only want a legal suite.’ I have to tell them the bad news that there are very, very few in Kamloops. Most of them are non-conforming. With that comes some sort of risk in having the property,” said Runge. “[These new rules give] us a way to say, ‘This is a legal, conforming suite. It’s been checked by the city, it meets all the requirements and you can rely on that income.'”

Runge says non-conforming suites are largely accepted by residents of Kamloops neighbourhoods, but being targeted by City Hall was always a risk.

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She adds she hopes the new leniency at City Hall encourages suite owners to improve their rental units for the benefit of their tenants.

“I hope that people who have existing suites will also go through the process. What that process looks like, I’m still waiting to see,” said Runge. “The new construction, those suites are done fairly well. It’s the ones that have been in the houses for a long time and they’re not that great. So it would be good to see what is the city really looking for to consider it a legal suite.”

A report explaining the new policy approved by council this week stated staff visiting a non-conforming suite will educate the home’s owners on how to comply with bylaws and the B.C. Building Code.

The new policy gives staff more freedom to exercise discretion, and doubles the time allowed for owners to either legalize or decommission their suites from one month to 60 days.

Runge says done right, this will benefit both landlords and tenants.

“There are some suites out there that I’ve seen in my work that probably shouldn’t be allowed,” Runge said. “They’re a little bit scary. The entrances are weird and the kitchens… they’re not good situations. It would be nice to have some good suite options for people who are looking to rent.”