LANDLORD FEARS NEW BYLAW

A bylaw that gives several agencies unfettered access to rental homes
brings the two Langleys perilously close to making the community a
police state, a landlord has charged.

"My concern as the owner of a rental property is that they are charging
the landlord for damage and illegal activities caused by the tenant,"
said Todd McLeod, who lives in Aldergrove, where he owns two rented
townhouses.

Langley City has already given three readings to its bylaw, and the
township will model its legislation on the city bylaw, with
modifications. The bylaws have been scrutinized by lawyers for both
jurisdictions.

The intent of the bylaw is to provide a mechanism to ensure that
residential rental premises used for any unlawful purpose are fit for
re-occupancy from a health and safety perspective.

Langley RCMP Const. Derek Gravelle has been instrumental in getting the
bylaw before Langley councils, and on Monday he told the township that
there is a public safety issue concerning toxic chemicals used in
methamphetamine labs and the manufacture of the rave drug ecstasy, which
could leach into wells or aquifers.

The bylaw empowers inspectors from a host of agencies to inspect a
rented home.

These inspectors include police and bylaw enforcement officers,
representatives from the health region and B.C. Hydro, and a
representative of any other government jurisdiction in building and
structure safety, health and protection and property issues.

Landlords already pay for damage caused by tenants, and most insurance
companies do not cover damage caused by pot growing operations.

Under the city's bylaw, the landlord will become responsible for the
visit of each inspector listed in the bylaw.

The fees begin at $180 for the first inspection, $390 for each
subsequent visit, and $240 for a letter authorizing re-occupancy.

Police and the two municipalities are concerned about the increasing
number of drug manufacturing plants in residential houses.

But they are not confined to houses, and the legislation, if it passes,
will eventually be broadened to include barns and commercial buildings.

The legislation also encompasses prostitution trick pads, gang activity,
and the unlawful use and storage of firearms.

McLeod said the Residential Tenancy Act provides little support for
landlords who themselves are a "fragmented" group.

"We need to rally to stop this in the city and township," he said.

"They are setting up a police state."