Hampton tenants pushed out of homes for Airbnb after landlord thwarted by rent cap

Two families living in a duplex in Hampton now have fewer than 30 days to get out, according to eviction notices stuck in their doors on March 31.  

The previous day, they told their property manager they would not agree to rent increases that would take their rent from $700 per month to $900 for one unit and $1,000 for the other, starting Aug. 1.  

Those increases would be well over the 3.8 per cent rent cap announced by the New Brunswick government on budget day on March 22. 

Bill 96, an Act to Amend the Residential Tenancies Act, was tabled March 29 and is widely expected to be passed into law. When that happens, it will apply retroactively from Jan. 1 and be effective through December 2022.  

Jennifer Taylor thought that meant she could safely refuse to pay an increase of nearly 30 per cent. 

Instead, she got an eviction notice, informing her that her Hampton apartment is being converted into an Airbnb effective May 1.

"Now we have to start packing and looking for a place this affordable," said Taylor, who lives with her two teenage children. 

Michelle Cheslock, who lives on the other side of the duplex, told a similar story. After saying no to a rent change from $700 to $1,000, she's getting evicted, too.

The building at 27-29 Acadia Cres. changed hands in December.

According to Service New Brunswick records, the purchasers are Kevin Hagerman and Isobelle Reid Marianne of Huntsville, Ont. They paid $325,000 for the property, which is assessed at $179,500.

Taylor said she got her first notice of a rent increase almost right away, seeking an increase to $1,000 per month effective April 1.

Then the province amended the Tenancies Act, requiring landlords to give six months' notice for an increase.

Then, last month, the province promised further rent control, with the 3.8 per cent cap. 

Taylor said the property manager tried to persuade her to ignore that cap and voluntarily pay more.