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."