VICTORIA - B.C. landlords and tenants will face tough new penalties for breaking the province's rental laws, Housing Minister Rich Coleman announced Monday.

Effective immediately, the Residential Tenancy Branch can impose "administrative penalties" of up to $5,000 against people or companies with repeated or serious violations of the Residential Tenancy Act or the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act.

The penalized landlords or tenants also could face additional fines for each day a problem goes uncorrected, the government said in a release.

For example, landlords could face penalties for repeatedly failing to return damage deposits, while a tenant might get fined for continually damaging their accommodations or moving out without giving proper notice.

The branch will assess the seriousness and frequency of each offence before imposing a penalty. Landlords and tenants will have the chance to review the evidence against them and present a defence before a decision is made.

© The Vancouver Sun 2008