A new standards of maintenance bylaw will help ensure tenants in Port Moody are living in safe, healthy homes.
The bylaw was adopted by council at its meeting on Jan. 28 without further discussion.
Coun. Amy Lubik, who has been a proponent for increasing protections for tenants, said in a report she authored in 2022 that, “When a unit in a building is in disrepair, the tenant’s health, safety and quality of life is at risk.”
She added that risk is being exacerbated by extreme weather events like heat domes and atmospheric rivers.
“In a changing climate we are seeing many vulnerable residents, particularly those who are low income, become ill or die in extreme heat conditions.”
Among the new requirements, landlords must ensure floors in a basement be kept dry and free of cracks and that drains are maintained in good working order.
Electrical and gas systems, along with appliances and elevators must also be safe and in good working order while exterior doors and windows are weather tight and protected to prevent the entry of birds and pests. Latches and locks must also be secure.
As well, heating systems must be able to maintain every room at a temperature of 22 C while bathing fixtures can’t discharge water hotter than 49 C.
Landlords can also not prevent a tenant from using a portable device to cool their unit.
Violators of the bylaw can face a fine up to $3,000 for a municipal ticket or up to $50,000 if proceedings are brought under the Offence Act.
In a report presented to council last October, Port Moody social planner Shareen Chin said the municipal bylaw may help speed the process of getting repairs done as well as bolster a tenant’s case if they’re seeking resolution through the provincial Residential Tenancy Branch.
She said municipalities like Abbotsford, Nanaimo, New Westminster, Victoria and Vancouver also have rules setting minimum standards of care for rental properties.
Port Moody will allocate $25,000 from its development process reserve fund to track staff’s time to implement the new bylaw.
Chin said the city currently receives about two or three calls a month about substandard rental properties.
Councillors withdraw residents-first motion
A motion by Lubik and Coun. Samantha Agtarap requesting staff investigate a possible policy that would request developers prioritize Port Moody residents for condo presales and seek assurances that purchasers will actually live in their new unit was withdrawn from Tuesday's agenda.
The councillors said after receiving some feedback from the community, they intend to rework the motion to make its intent more clear.
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