By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Based on deputations made at a recent public meeting, Chatham-Kent’s proposed renoviction bylaw is drawing mixed reviews.
On one hand, small landlords say the bylaw will unfairly impact them, while advocates say new rules are needed to combat bad actors.
The session, held at Studio One in Chatham May 13, outlined three possible approaches council can take. Maintaining the status quo is option one; conducting a public education campaign that includes monitoring renoviction calls to the municipality is option two; and the third option would see the implementation of a renoviction bylaw.
The bylaw would require hiring an additional licensing agent; conducting a public education campaign; and having a structured municipal permit fee. The new rules would be enforced by existing building services staff.
Chatham-Kent Legal Clinic paralegal Jeff Wilkins, who works extensively helping tenants who face N-13 renovictions, said a bylaw will help correct the “power imbalance” between tenants and REITS – real estate investment trusts.
Large companies are known for buying up properties, Wilkins said, then issuing N-13 notices, pushing tenants out under the guise of renovations. Landlords then raise rents to increase profits, as many current tenants are long-term renters who pay modest affordable rent.
“Chatham-Kent is not going out on limb with this bylaw,” Wilkins said in a deputation. “Like other municipalities, Chatham-Kent is attempting to responsibly and proactively take effective action.”
Presently, Wilkins said, eight Chatham rental properties have been by purchased by one corporate owner, with a “goal” of using N-13 notices to get tenants out to enhance profits.
What’s happening at Chatham’s Terrace Forty Apartments is proof a renoviction bylaw is needed, according to tenant Gord Harvey. Harvey is helping represent his fellow tenants as they face N-13 renoviction notices amid questionable renovation work at the building.
Harvey said a renoviction bylaw would have prevented the situation Terrace Forty residents find themselves in.
“The issue is not a lack of information,” Harvey told the gathering. “It is undeniably a lack of transparency, accountability and enforceable protections,” he continued, adding it’s not a fair system for ordinary people.
But on the other side, local landlords say a renoviction bylaw goes too far and fees will negatively impact their ability to provide affordable housing.
In his deputation, landlord Derek Rumble called the N-13 bylaw a “bit of an overreach.”
Money is “no object” for large corporations, Rumble pointed out, noting a bylaw will hamstring small landlords.
“I think something needs to be done but it’s a little premature and heavy-handed,” Rumble said of the proposal.
His words were echoed by both Sarah Molnar and Corrine Wagenaar. The mother and daughter team represent Paragon Property Management, a family-owned property management company in Chatham. They also own rental properties.
Wagenaar, who spoke first, said the province already has rules in place to address unlawful N-13 renovictions, adding small landlords need special consideration, as they provide 40 per cent of Ontario’s housing.
In her comments, Molnar described small landlords as the “backbone” of the rental market, adding increased fees will add onto rising costs landlords already face.
Landlord Audrey Skinner said she’s also against imposing a renoviction bylaw, also calling it “overreach” that will create another layer of expensive bureaucracy while adding to Chatham-Kent’s tax bill.
Mayor Darrin Canniff and councillors Lauren Anderson, Michael Bondy, Anthony Ceccacci, Marjorie Crew, Amy Finn and Alysson Storey were in attendance.
The matter is to return to council June 22 for a final vote. Several municipalities – including London, Hamilton, Toronto and Mississauga – have adopted renoviction bylaws. Others, including Sarnia, are exploring the possibility.
Residents interested in providing input on the bylaw are invited to submit feedback on the Let’s Talk CK webpage.
As stated in paragraph 6, the concern really is the large companies, buying up properties and removing tenants under the guise of renovictions. Why are you painting all property owners with the same brush? These fees should fall on the large companies. This issue also highlights the need for increased social housing. This renovictions wouldn’t happen if the government was spending taxpayer money where it’s needed, on Canadians in need, instead of sending billions to foreign laundries under the guise of war relief and war efforts.