The head of LandLord BC is voicing support for the federal government’s forthcoming new renters’ bill of rights.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is slated to confirm funding for the new bill of rights, among other rental-housing initiatives, when his Liberal government unveils its budget on April 16. Many groups have questioned whether the bill of rights will improve housing affordability among a chronic supply shortage.

The new measures are designed to help young Canadians become home owners. Ottawa that would introduce a standard national lease agreement and require landlords to disclose an apartment’s rental-rate history to tenants. Ottawa has also earmarked $15 million in funding for provincial legal-aid organizations assisting clients in their battles against renovictions and mistreatment from landlords.

On-time rent payment timing will also boost tenants’ credit scores.

Tenants may not gain much power to successfully bargain for lower rents, but the bill of rights could cause landlords to rethink their rates for new tenants, David Hutniak, CEO for LandLord BC, told Postmedia. Access to past rental-rate data will be good for tenants, and landlords will benefit from knowing whether prospective tenants have paid their rent on time previously, he added.

Hutniak suggested that improved transparency could reduce public distrust of landlords.

“Such a change could, in the long run, help them become less villainized,” he told Postmedia.

LandLordBC represents landlords across B.C.