BYLAW A BUST WITH LANDLORDS

City council could at its next meeting adopt a bylaw that sees
landlords fined up to $10,000 per day if they violate it and requires
them to inspect properties once every three months.

They will also have to bear all costs connected to the dismantling of
grow operations if tenants cannot cover those costs in the first
place, those attending a public hearing Monday evening heard.

The bylaw makes landlords responsible for the criminal behaviour of
their tenants, said property owner Karl Schrank, and puts too much
responsibility onto them and not enough onto tenants.

"Sometimes you have no control over renters," he said.

Other speakers before council agreed with Schrank. Dianne McEvoy said
the bylaw is "unfair" and "unenforceable" under provincial
legislation.

The Residential Tenancy Act that requires landlords to give tenants 24
hours notice before entering their premises supersedes a city bylaw,
said McEvoy. That would give criminals lots of time to dismantle grow
operation, she said.

Tanya Watts said landlords' hands are "tied" when dealing with
troublesome tenants.