The City of Nanaimo is collecting community feedback on a policy to help renters who are displaced when their building gets redeveloped. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson)

By Jordan Davidson

Renovictions

City of Nanaimo seeks feedback on proposed renter relocation policy

Jan 27, 2026 | 4:03 PM

NANAIMO — The City is working on a policy for renters displaced by renovations and who need support.

A survey will be online starting Wednesday, Jan. 28, until Feb. 18, asking Nanaimo citizens what they feel the requirements should be for a tenant relocation and compensation policy.

Director of planning and development Jeremy Holm told NanaimoNewsNOW this would focus on buildings with four or more purpose-built rentals, with 108 buildings currently in Nanaimo encompassing an estimated 4,200 units.

“Looking at the impact of redevelopment on existing tenants in…existing rental buildings, and how they can be supported by the impact of redevelopment. There’s policy in the city’s official community plan that supports that, and the province has created relatively new tools through some of the housing legislation that they adopted.”

He said the passing of provincial Bill 16 in December allows municipalities to develop their own tenant protection bylaws.

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Previous legislation encouraging denser housing was also a factor, as Nanaimo continues to add to its housing stock and remove red tape to encourage more development, recently done for projects which include affordable housing units.

“We’re likely see pressure grow as there is higher demand for redevelopment of existing properties and more efficient use of existing properties through redevelopment. We’re likely to see more of these potentially tenants impacted as properties are redeveloped through densification in the future.”

Currently, tenants facing this situation have some protections through the provincial Residential Tenancy Act, and any policy developed locally would help augment those current regulations, said Holm.

He also said they’re hearing concerns from Nanaimo renters about this issue, especially in older buildings, with many built in the 1960s or 70s, and require upgrades.

“Typically, buildings redeveloped are older stock buildings…if they’ve (tenants) been there for some time, they’re likely paying rents that are below what they would find going out into the market currently. Those tenants definitely could be impacted, displaced, and looking to potentially find rent in the current market, which can be challenging.”

In November, Nanaimo City Council approved a relocation assistance policy for manufactured homes when the property where their home is located is redeveloped, including up to $5,000 per household.

More information on this project and how to provide feedback is available here at GetInvolvedNanaimo.ca.

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