Cathy Dobson/The Independent

Sarnia is joining a handful of Ontario municipalities trying to protect tenants from unlawful renovictions.

At Councillor Bill Dennis’ suggestion, city staff is researching the possibility of a new rental unit repair licence for landlords who want to do renovations so extensive that they require their tenants to vacate.

“Sadly, I do think we need this proposed bylaw now to lessen the potential harm to our often most vulnerable citizens in the case of renovictions,” Dennis said at the Feb. 9 council meeting.

A licence isn’t meant to stop evictions for renovations entirely.  It’s meant to stop landlords from misrepresenting the need to evict tenants over extensive renovations in order to get higher-paying tenants to move in. 

Hamilton, Toronto and London have already put bylaws in place that require rental unit repair licences.  On top of licences, some municipalities are requiring landlords to provide compensation or alternative rentals while renovations are underway. 

Chatham-Kent, Kitchener and Mississauga are currently considering new similar bylaws to discourage renovictions and avoid homelessness.

There’s been numerous times in Sarnia-Lambton when tenants are handed forms called N13s and told they must vacate to accommodate extensive renovations for extended periods of time.  Landlords are obligated to give their tenants the right to return to their units afterward without increasing the rent.  However, tenants often don’t return because they have to find other rentals or get displaced while the work is being done.

The scenario is currently playing out on Exmouth Street in Sarnia where tenants of Village Green townhouses have been offered $5,000 to vacate by March 31.  Otherwise, they’ve been told they must be out by May 31. 

The province’s Residential Tenancies Act requires landlords to show plans and permits at a hearing of the Landlord Tenant Board to get approval for evictions.  But landlords sometimes bypass that process by offering money instead and threatening eviction. 

Unless the province beefs up its legislation, municipalities need to take action, said Mayor Mike Bradley.

“We need the province to take control,” he said, adding that he intends to write a letter to Queen’s Park asking for improved regulations around renovictions.

Meanwhile, Sarnia council unanimously endorsed Dennis’ motion to have city staff prepare a report within two months.

Dennis suggested that Sarnia follow London’s example and require landlords to obtain a building permit for the renovation of rental units, as well as certification from a professional to confirm repairs are so extensive that vacating the unit is necessary.

In London, Rental Unit Repair Licences must be purchased for $600 per unit and obtained within seven days of giving tenants N13 notices.

“To be clear, there are many good landlords out there and I am proud to know many of them,” Dennis said.  “But like in any sector, there are some that need extra rules so we can protect our citizens.”

Nearly every city councillor spoke on the issue, saying it’s an important one and that they endorse a local bylaw.

“We have an application for homeowners who want to build, but that doesn’t directly speak to (bigger residential complexes),” said Councillor Anne Marie Gillis.  “The process has to go one step further.”

Councillor Brian White noted that there was “tough talk” from the province related to renovictions last year but nothing more has happened.

“But now here we are taking the lead in hopes of resolving these concerns,” White said.  “We have to protect our own community.”