Pubdate: Fri, 27 Apr 2001
Source: Langley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 BC Newspaper Group and New Media Development
Contact:  http://www.langleytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230
Author: Natasha Jones

TENANTS WILL BE SAFER, SAY RCMP

The agencies that are championing a bylaw aimed at reducing the growing 
number of rented houses used for drug operations say they want to make 
residences safer for tenants.

On Monday, Langley RCMP Const. Derek Gravelle told Langley Township council 
that the Maintenance of Residential Rental Premises Bylaw will allow the 
township to bill landlords for inspections carried out by police, municipal 
building inspectors, and health, gas and electricity inspectors.

The purpose of the bylaw, apart from discouraging illegal activity in 
rented premises, is to make sure the dwelling is safe for the next 
occupant. It will compel landlords to bring the residence up to standard, 
Gravelle said.

"We are making landlords responsible for their properties," he said. "There 
is nothing [currently] to hold landlords accountable."

But there is concern among some township councillors that the legislation 
deals with a criminal matter that is beyond the scope of a municipality and 
should be a police matter.

Councillor May Barnard said she has major reservations about the bylaw. 
"Why is it up to the township or the city to enforce the bylaw?" she asked. 
"Are RCMP abrogating their responsibility?"

Barnard, an insurance broker, said she is concerned for "the innocent 
landlord who inadvertently rents to a renter who has a grow-op. Landlords 
should not be penalized any more than they are," she said.

She told of a client who bought an investment property which was already 
rented out. A first-time landlord, he presented his renters with a gift 
certificate to reward them for being such good tenants, especially for 
paying their rent on time.

Unknown to him, the tenants had a marijuana grow-op which caused between 
$10,000 and $15,000 damage, a loss which most insurance companies will not 
cover.

The two Langleys are planning to hold an information forum in June that it 
hopes landlords will attend, and tomorrow (Monday) both councils are 
meeting to discuss the bylaw.

Asked if the legislation goes beyond the legal jurisdiction of a local 
authority, township administrator Mark Bakken said the municipality must 
ensure that it acts within its legislative authority.

"However, the township's legislative ability to inspect rental homes for 
compliance with provincial and federal building code compliance is within 
the township's jurisdiction," Bakken said.

The key, he said "is that we have to be vigilant to ensure that we do not 
cross into federal jurisdiction as it relates to drug enforcement, because 
we are regulating residential properties and not drug enforcement."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom