COVID-19 Updates & Statements

Update: March 11, 2022

As per the province-wide restrictions update, wearing masks in public indoor settings is not required by public health. Wearing a mask is a personal choice. Masks are encouraged on public transit. Individual businesses and event organizers can choose to continue requiring masks on their premises. It’s important that we respect the choices of people, businesses, and one another.

Update: December 22, 2021

As per our Tenant Newsletter sent out today to all tenants & sublets of VEDA, we would like to review the province-wide restrictions coming into effect tonight until January 18, 2022.

  • The fitness centres in 842 & 800 Academy Way (Kelowna), as well as 1404 Patricia Blvd (PG), are closed.
  • Masks are required in all public indoor settings for all people born in 2016 or earlier (5+).
  • Everyone is encouraged to:
    • Keep personal gatherings as small as possible
    • Stick to the same group of people

Update: July 29, 2021

Indoor mask protocol is back on in the Okanagan for a period of 14 days. We require our tenants and VEDA guests to wear a mask indoors at this time.

Update: July 1, 2021

Along with the rest of the province of BC, we’re happy to see the restrictions ease as more and more Canadians get vaccinated. Click here for the Government of BC updates. As such, we are updating our COVID-19 Safety Plan to reflect the following changes:

  • Masks are recommended in indoor common areas for residents & guests who are not yet fully vaccinated.
    • You’re fully vaccinated 14 days after dose 2
    • Proof of vaccination does not need to be requested by service providers
    • Some people may choose to continue to wear a mask after they’re fully vaccinated and that’s okay
  • Gyms and recreations facilities can operate with normal capacity.
  • There are no restrictions on indoor or outdoor personal gatherings.

Happy summer, stay safe!

Update: April 21, 2021

Doing our part. As of April 21, 2021, our staff is working from home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This decision has been made due to the extension of Province-wide restrictions until May 25, 2021 and in advance of many new tenants and sublets moving into our community as of May 1st. We agree with the health experts’ direction to exercise an abundance of caution in dealing with this virus, so that we can curb its spread in our community.

Should you require assistance, our team is readily available during business hours Monday to Friday 10AM-6PM at 250-469-3063 or hello@vedaliving.ca. Staff will be onsite to conduct checks of the premises to ensure our collective safety & security and when needed for essential purposes.

Doing your part. We remind all tenants to follow our VEDA COVID-19 Safety Plan diligently, including wearing a mask in all common spaces and only allowing visitors in your core bubble into our buildings. For people who live alone, a core bubble is a maximum of two people you see regularly. With the extension of the Province-wide restrictions, the fitness centre hours will remain 8AM-8PM daily and the BBQs & rooftop patio will remain closed. We will reassess our VEDA COVID-19 Safety Plan on May 26, 2021.

Tenants can report non-compliance of Public Health Orders by members of the public by calling 250-469-8686 between 6AM and midnight or by emailing bylaw@kelowna.ca. Significant and urgent concerns that arise beyond these hours can be directed to the RCMP non-emergency line at 250-762-3300.

Update: April 1, 2021

As per our Tenant Newsletter sent out today to all tenants & sublets of VEDA, we would like to highlight a few of the recent province-wide restrictions being enforced between March 29 and April 19th, 2021 & what this means for our VEDA crew.

  • Gyms and recreational facilities that offer individual workouts and personal training sessions can remain open as long as they have a COVID-19 Safety Plan that is strictly followed. [VEDA fitness centers will remain open 8am-8pm Monday through Sunday, however, we will not be extending the hours April 5th as we initially hoped. 5 registered tenants max]
  • Avoid all non-essential travel. Do not travel to visit friends or family outside of your household or core bubble. [For people who live alone – that includes you, VEDA tenants – a core bubble is a maximum of two people you see regularly]
  • No indoor social gatherings of any size at your residence with anyone other than your core bubble. Do not invite friends or extended family inside your residence. Do not host a party or event inside your house. [No more than 2 people from your core bubble can be in your suite or on the premises]
  • Up to 10 people can gather at a park, beach, or backyard of a residence. Do not gather with several groups of new people, stick to the same people. Continue to use protection and physical distancing. [The rooftop patio will remain closed while these restrictions are in effect]
  • You could be subject to a $230 fine if you do not wear a mask in an indoor public setting unless you are exempt. [VEDA elevators, hallways, club rooms, & fitness centers are considered indoor public spaces and require a mask to be worn, even if you are the only one occupying the space]
If anyone is found not following these orders, please report to the RCMP, as most orders can be enforced by police and compliance/enforcement officials. Please click here for the Province-wide restrictions from the Government of BC.

Update as of March 8, 2021: Fitness Rooms open Mon-Sun 8AM-8PM

To: All Renewing & Future Residents
From: 
Management
Date: 
July 9, 2020

Re: Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact us if you have additional questions that are not answered below.

  1. Can I move during the COVID-19 pandemic?

    Yes, you can still move at this time. The Government of B.C. has not restricted moving between homes or rental units. For more information about our move-in or move-out process, please check your email for instructions OR email service@vedaliving.ca.
  1. How can I maintain physical distancing while moving?

If you are moving between rental units, follow these recommendations:

  • Keep a distance of two metres from your landlord and neighbours while moving.
  • Greet your new landlord and neighbours with a wave, a bow or a nod (do not shake hands).
  • Don’t ride elevators with other tenants or neighbours while moving.
  • Move your own items when possible and avoid having your friends/family outside of your “bubble” help. Avoid groups congregating.
  1. I’m worried about money. Do I need to pay rent? What if I can’t pay? Yes, the legislation still requires that tenants pay rent in full and on time. Landlords are encouraged to work with their tenants to ensure tenants stay in their homes. Tenants facing difficulty as a result of the COVID-19 crisis should consider all assistance that is available to them, including:
  • Canada Student Emergency Benefit: Click Here
  • Apply for Canada Emergency Response Benefit: Click Here
  • EI Benefits: Click Here
  • Rent Payment Assistance-British Columbia: Click Here
  • BC Emergency Funding Support for Students: Click Here
    (Application process is through your Student Financial Aid Office.
    For UBCO, contact ubco@ubc.ca)
  • BC Housing Temporary Rental Supplement Program (BC-TRS): Click Here
  1. How does the pandemic and the state of emergency in B.C. impact laws for tenants and landlords?

For up-to-date information from the provincial government about how COVID-19 is impacting tenancy laws, please refer to this COVID-19 and Tenancies page.

  1. What if I no longer want to move into the unit that I signed a lease for?

If you no longer plan to move into a unit that you have already signed a lease for, you have the following options:

  • Sublet to another tenant for a limited amount of time. Use the sublet process and agreement found on our website here.
  • Assign your lease to a new tenant.

What is the difference between subletting and assigning?

If you sublet, you remain on the lease. If you assign your lease to someone else, you permanently sign over your position on a lease to another person. When assigning, you are not responsible for future rent payments or the behaviour of the new tenant. Subletting is preferable if you intend to move back into the unit. Assignment is preferable if you want to exit the lease agreement. Until a lease assignment or replacement is found, your lease contract remains valid.

  1. The university is closed, so isn’t this cause for the lease to be “frustrated”?

We acknowledge these are strange times and we feel for everyone whose plans have been changed by the universities decision to move classes to online learning and/or smaller in-person classes this upcoming September-December. To be clear, the university is not closed. Here is their official statement: https://broadcastemail.ubc.ca/2020/05/11/covid-19-ubcs-approach-for-the-fall-term/

As per the BC Residential Tenancy Policy Guideline #34 Frustration, “the test for determining that a contract has been frustrated is a high one. Mere hardship, economic or otherwise, is not sufficient grounds for finding a contract to have been frustrated so long as the contract could still be fulfilled according to its terms.” Though the global pandemic has impacted everyone, it is not currently a reason to frustrate a lease contract.

  1. Should I sign a lease for September now?

We are actively renting any remaining suites for September 2020. We strongly believe in our community, culture and programming as a positive place to continue your studies and live a balanced student lifestyle. Our suites are single-occupancy only and safe for #quarantinelife. You should not sign a lease if you are unsure you will be able to uphold the contract. A lease is a legally binding contract and you will be responsible for the terms, unless you complete a lease reassignment.

To: All Renewing & Future Residents
From:
Management
Date:
May 22, 2020

Re: Update on COVID-19 Protocols & Our Plans for September 2020

Our community matters to us.  We recognize this crucial and uncertain time that has been affecting the globe and want to ensure we are doing our part to protect the health and well-being of all our residents, staff, and contractors.

Throughout the past few months, we have continued to closely monitor the health and safety guidelines laid out by the World Health Organization and BC Ministry of Health.  As per these guidelines, we have instituted new policies and procedures aimed to protect residents, employees, and contractors. Most, if not all, of these processes and procedures have been in effect since March 2020.  These include:

  • Increased cleaning of all residential buildings and implemented daily sanitization of high traffic touch surfaces such as handles, elevator buttons, and coded entry locks.
  • New hand sanitizer stations are available at all building entrances.
  • Posted notices throughout the building explaining best recommended hygiene practices for all residents and protocol for reporting potential/confirmed cases of COVID-19 to VEDA staff.
  • Established policies and protocols for a positive COVID-19 within the building should it be reported to VEDA staff. Residents are asked to contact management to report any resident/guest who is ill with COVID symptoms or tests positive for the virus.
  • Non-urgent work orders were immediately halted in March to adhere to recommended social distancing requirements. As the province releases their guidelines for returning to regular work, our work orders will resume while ensuring all recommended guidelines are followed.
  • Contact between residents and employees/contractors is being organized in a way to reduce direct contact. This includes screening, appointment-only meetings, social distancing, protective barriers, and PPE use where warranted.
  • Constant communication from VEDA management regarding updates on policies and procedures to best protect everyone.
  • Onsite amenities have been temporarily closed to reduce shared spaces and decrease the chance of groups or high traffic usage. As things return to normal, these spaces will reopen slowly in accordance with public health guidelines and with the goal of minimizing risk to residents.
  • VEDA staff have been working from home as of March and will be returning to the onsite office in June 2020. The office will continue to be closed to the public for the time being but visits can be booked by appointment-only should there be an urgent need.
  • Our staff continue to be available by phone or email during all regular business hours to assist with any requests or answer any questions pertaining to current and future residents.
  • Virtual property tours are available for any students interested in living at VEDA by visiting https://www.vedaliving.ca/virtual-tour/. Our rentals team continues to be available to answer any questions and administer the necessary paperwork for leasing.

The University of British Columbia Okanagan has recently announced their plans for September 2020. They anticipate a “mixed model” in which some of the courses (or parts of them) will be delivered virtually and others face-to-face.  You can view this announcement here.

This announcement gives us excitement moving forward and we wish to inform students that we are currently accepting applications for those looking for a self-contained suite to move into this September. For those of you who may have the majority of their courses online, you may still be looking forward to one of the most memorable part of the university experience-living away from home with other students from your school. We are here for you and will be sure to make this experience as enriching as possible!

Our goal is to keep all residents informed of any changes or information that could impact them in any way. We aim to be as open and transparent with our current and future residents who are a part of the VEDA community. We are thankful for your patience and understanding as we continue to support each other during this time.

At VEDA, we care first and foremost about the safety of our tenants. Doing our part to
support your health and well-being during this time is our number one priority.

Our focus
We are focused on meeting your needs and are managing our response guided by the federal and
provincial authorities’ daily information updates and evaluating our response against new information
as it becomes available. As such, we are in contact with the City of Kelowna, Interior Health Authority
and the Provincial Government and are implementing all recommendations they have for close-
proximity living.

Here for you
Our lines of communication are open, and we are available to you. Residents can reach our staff via
email and phone with questions or service requests during regular business hours.

Health protection
All amenity spaces including the fitness rooms and pool tables have been closed until further notice. We
have also implemented many enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures, including:

  • Providing hand sanitization stations at all entrances to VEDA Living buildings and key common areas
  • Increasing the frequency of our cleaning services, which are now on-site seven times a week.
    Ensuring our cleaning services are paying extra attention to high-touch surfaces and common areas
    like doorknobs, handles, stairway railings, keypads, garbage disposal areas, communal laundry room
    areas and elevators.

For most up to date information from BC Centre of Disease Control, click here.

1-888-COVID19