Jane Ledwon’s world changed 20 years ago in an accident that restricted her mobility. Once a lawyer living on a six-figure income, she now scrapes by on a $900-per-month disability cheque.

Not one to complain, she says she can get by if she manages her money just right.

Now circumstances beyond her control are again changing her world.

Ledwon has learned the rent for her one-bedroom apartment at Cedartree Village in Newton could be going up 23 per cent, from $610 a month to $750. After her $150 in medicine for the month is paid, there would be nothing left.

“I’m wiped out right on the spot, I’ve got no money for food, no money for clothes,” Ledwon said, adding her name has been on a subsidized housing wait list for seven years.

With the spike in rent, she has few choices.

“I’m just going to end up homeless, it’s tantamount to an eviction,” Ledwon said. “It’s a horror story.”

Several residents at Cedartree are subject to large rental increases thanks to legislation filled with loopholes, said Harry Bains, the NDP MLA for Surrey-Newton.

The Residential Tenancy Act currently allows for annual rent increases of up to 3.7 per cent, Bains said. But management at Cedartree, near 72 Avenue and King George Highway, is applying to the Residential Tenancy Office to raise rents in the building to match the market rates for the area.

Manager Dan Wilems has said publicly the company hasn’t raised rents in “many years.”

Bains said tenants shouldn’t have to shoulder the burden just because a landlord has failed to keep up with market rents.

The minister in charge of housing was not available for comment, nor was the manager of Cedartree.

However, the ministry confirmed that Cedartree has applied for rent increases at two Surrey properties, 7155 Hall Rd. and 13485 74 Ave.

“The applications cover a total of 99 units,” according to an e-mail response from the ministry. “The increase requested ranges from three to 67 per cent.”

The requested increases are based on location and the landlord will have to demonstrate to the dispute resolution officer’s satisfaction that the rents for comparable units in the same geographic location are higher than what is being charged.

The tenants may also present evidence to the Residential Tenancy Branch and must provide copies to the landlord. They can attend the hearing and present their views about the increase requested.

If a rent increase is approved, the landlord must provide three months notice to the tenants before the increase can be implemented.

The hearing will be scheduled for some time in September. Representatives with the tenancy branch did not return Leader phone calls.

kdiakiw@surreyleader.com