LANDLORDS STRUGGLE TO RID UNITS OF DRUG USE

Landlords are looking for help to keep housing units from becoming crack
houses.

Residential Society of Red Deer is in the midst of cleaning and repairing
its third unit in the last 12 months after it became a place where drugs
were bought and used.

Lianne Hazell, executive director of the society that rents out 15
affordable units around the city for low-income people, said friends of a
renter just "break in and set up camp."

"There could be six to 10 people living in the unit," Hazell said.

According to landlord and tenant legislation, even unauthorized tenants must
be given 14 days notice to leave the property. In the meantime, more damage
is done, she said.

Work is going on now to fix broken windows at the latest unit where a crack
house operated. A light fixture was pulled out of the ceiling and walls were
spray painted.

"We've cleaned it up and started to fix the holes in the walls today,"
Hazell said.

It will cost about $2,000 to fix up the unit.

Another renter in that unit who was not involved in drug activity was scared
for his safety. He would lock his bedroom and push a dresser against the
door for protection, Hazell said.

"He didn't complain because he thought he would be on the street."

Problem tenants are considered a civil issue, not criminal. But Hazell said
she's had to depend more and more on local RCMP when people set up a crack
house. Police help is greatly appreciated.

"We've seen a really positive change in the attitude of officers.

"We will rely more on the police than we have in the past."

Red Deer RCMP Cpl. Steve Cormack said the community has become more aware of
drug crime and are ready to report it to police to help deal with the
problem.

"We've had a huge increase in the amount of information coming in. People
are paying more attention and it's great to see," Cormack said. Rob Bonin,
who is working to develop the Red Deer Landlords Board to tackle rental
issues, said RCMP can be an ally when landlord and tenant legislation falls
short.

Crack houses are a growing problem and landlords have to be diligent,
monitor their property and "trust their gut" when it comes to choosing
tenants, Bonin said.

"It's a problem provincially, not just Red Deer. The landlord has no
rights," said the manager of Oasis Management and city council candidate.

Amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act that goes into effect on Nov. 1
give landlords the power to hand out a 24-hour eviction notice if there's
illegal activity, other tenants or the landlord are assaulted, or if there's
significant damage to a unit or building. The landlord must supply a
provincial court judge with proof, for example photos or statements from
witnesses.

Currently, 48-hour eviction notices are possible.

But Bonin said even unauthorized tenants can refuse to leave and go to court
to fight an eviction. It ultimately takes two to three months to evict a bad
tenant, plus legal costs.

He'd like to see the City of Red Deer get involved.

"I think the city has to hold property owners more responsible on a bylaw
level."

Fines could be levied against irresponsible landlords and all landlords,
even the homeowners renting out their basement, should be licensed, he said.

Hazell said the residential society has seen some improvements since last
year by working to get a quicker handle on problems. More intense screening
of tenants will continue and more tenants with problems will be put in
contact with outreach workers.

But more still has to be done, she said.

"We've got to have more right as landlords to deal with the serious issues."