Pubdate: Wed, 11 Jul 2001
Source: Langley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 BC Newspaper Group and New Media Development
Contact:  http://www.langleytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230
Author: Supt. C.C. MacDonald
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1118/a04.html

SAFER COMMUNITY IS AIM OF BYLAW

Editor:

A letter to the editor from representatives of the Tenants Rights Action 
Coalition (The Times, June 29) contains some inaccuracies that I wish to 
address.

Police do not conduct searches without a warrant, unless under the exigent 
circumstances allowed under the provisions of the Criminal Code. At no time 
during the recent educational public forum, nor in any other venue, has the 
Langley RCMP condoned or advocated searches without a warrant. The proposed 
bylaw allows for the exercise of discretion, and the expectation is that 
each case will be dealt with on its own merits.

This bylaw was designed to help make the community safer by educating 
owners of rental property, and renters, about the potential for criminal 
activities in their premises. There is no "hidden agenda." The intent is to 
give a clear message to everyone involved by giving them the tools 
necessary to make knowledgeable choices.

The educational component of the proposed bylaw is broken down into three 
areas - the health and safety of the resident and of the residence; the 
rights and obligations of the landlord and tenant when entering into a 
rental agreement; and the hazards and items a landlord might come upon 
which could indicate a criminal enterprise.

The proliferation of organized, sophisticated crime groups throughout the 
Lower Mainland has created a need for rental properties in which criminal 
activities can be housed. These groups turn ordinary rental properties into 
chemical drug labs, grow-ops, crack houses, shooting galleries and trick 
pads for prostitutes. The entire community is affected by these activities, 
and the residential rental premises bylaw is designed to prevent the 
deterioration of our community by such activities.

The bylaw evolved with the input of the Professional Property Managers 
Association, the South Fraser Health Region, the Langley RCMP and the 
Residential Tenancy Branch. The goal was to put in place a workable 
document, in which all the concerned parties would be informed.

The June 29 letter makes the point that landlords would be placed in the 
position of "having to do regular inspections of their tenant's home." The 
current Residential Tenancy Act, under Section 16, stipulates the right of 
the landlord to enter a residential premise. Section 10 of the Act requires 
that the landlord must provide and maintain the residential premises, and 
residential property, complying with health, safety and housing standards 
required by law.

The recommendations of this bylaw are for the owner of a rental property to 
perform regular maintenance inspections which, it is felt, will protect the 
investment of the landlord, while encouraging a strong and healthy rapport 
with the tenants. The inspection component of this bylaw is not meant to 
complicate the life of the property owner, only to ensure that the next 
tenant has a safe environment in which to live, without risk to health or 
safety.

This bylaw is a product of a number of community groups and professional 
people coming together to design a workable solution to combat a problem 
which has become a huge concern for our community.

Supt. C.C. MacDonald, Officer in Charge, Langley RCMP
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager