SAFER COMMUNITY IS AIM OF BYLAW

Editor:

A letter to the editor from representatives of the Tenants Rights Action
Coalition (The Times, June 29) contains some inaccuracies that I wish to
address.

Police do not conduct searches without a warrant, unless under the exigent
circumstances allowed under the provisions of the Criminal Code. At no time
during the recent educational public forum, nor in any other venue, has the
Langley RCMP condoned or advocated searches without a warrant. The proposed
bylaw allows for the exercise of discretion, and the expectation is that
each case will be dealt with on its own merits.

This bylaw was designed to help make the community safer by educating
owners of rental property, and renters, about the potential for criminal
activities in their premises. There is no "hidden agenda." The intent is to
give a clear message to everyone involved by giving them the tools
necessary to make knowledgeable choices.

The educational component of the proposed bylaw is broken down into three
areas - the health and safety of the resident and of the residence; the
rights and obligations of the landlord and tenant when entering into a
rental agreement; and the hazards and items a landlord might come upon
which could indicate a criminal enterprise.

The proliferation of organized, sophisticated crime groups throughout the
Lower Mainland has created a need for rental properties in which criminal
activities can be housed. These groups turn ordinary rental properties into
chemical drug labs, grow-ops, crack houses, shooting galleries and trick
pads for prostitutes. The entire community is affected by these activities,
and the residential rental premises bylaw is designed to prevent the
deterioration of our community by such activities.

The bylaw evolved with the input of the Professional Property Managers
Association, the South Fraser Health Region, the Langley RCMP and the
Residential Tenancy Branch. The goal was to put in place a workable
document, in which all the concerned parties would be informed.

The June 29 letter makes the point that landlords would be placed in the
position of "having to do regular inspections of their tenant's home." The
current Residential Tenancy Act, under Section 16, stipulates the right of
the landlord to enter a residential premise. Section 10 of the Act requires
that the landlord must provide and maintain the residential premises, and
residential property, complying with health, safety and housing standards
required by law.

The recommendations of this bylaw are for the owner of a rental property to
perform regular maintenance inspections which, it is felt, will protect the
investment of the landlord, while encouraging a strong and healthy rapport
with the tenants. The inspection component of this bylaw is not meant to
complicate the life of the property owner, only to ensure that the next
tenant has a safe environment in which to live, without risk to health or
safety.

This bylaw is a product of a number of community groups and professional
people coming together to design a workable solution to combat a problem
which has become a huge concern for our community.

Supt. C.C. MacDonald, Officer in Charge, Langley RCMP