A firm operating in the university neighbourhoods and currently the subject of an inquiry by the provincial utilities’ regulator has been directed by a UBC staff and faculty housing management company to return the security deposits of its customers on campus.
Utilities submetering company Enerpro is involved in proceedings with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), which is looking into whether the company should be classified as a public utility and subject to more regulation.
Enerpro offers submetering services, including the installation and reading of meters in rental units which track the consumption of utilities, usually heating and cooling, as well as hot and cold water.
The company is contracted by property management companies, including Village Gate Homes (VGH), which manages UBC staff and faculty rentals. VGH sent emails to tenants making the announcement last month.
As reported in March, the BCUC – which regulates utilities in the province – had received hundreds of letters from tenants across the province who live in buildings serviced by Enerpro, including from Wesbrook Place.
The letters contain a variety of grievances, including bills described as excessive, a lack of transparency regarding charges and rates, and service fees described as inexplicable and unnecessary.
Following reporting by The Campus Resident, VGH began notifying tenants last month that they have asked Enerpro to review their business practices in light of the BCUC proceedings.
“We are aware that Enerpro is currently part of a review by the BC Utilities Commission, which is examining how services like this are classified and regulated,” the email reads.
“In light of this, and as part of our ongoing commitment to residents, we have requested Enerpro to reassess its billing approach to ensure it reflects evolving regulatory guidance, industry best practices, and provides greater clarity. This is intended to make it easier to understand how your utility charges are calculated.”
The emails also stated Enerpro will be returning security deposits they have collected from residents and will appear as a credit in their June bill.
It is not clear what led to the decision to return the security deposits; however, it could be related to a submission by the B.C. Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs to the BCUC as part of the upcoming inquiry.
The submission addresses the collection of security deposits by agents acting on behalf of a landlord, such as Enerpro. According to the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs, the Residential Tenacy Act contains stipulations that forbid Enerpro’s practice of requiring the payment of an additional security deposit.
UBC Properties Trust, the parent company of Village Gate Homes, did not respond to questions by the time this issue went to print.
The BCUC has not announced when it will be releasing its report into the Enerpro matter.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY ERIC WILKINSON