Quote:
Originally Posted by Cage
There are a couple of interesting ideas that have come up of late regarding secondary suites.
(1) Amnesty program for suites with identified safety deficiencies. It's a good idea that would alleviate the safety grey area concerns i.e. Drywall around the furnace. Emergency egress through window. The amnesty plan would allow for an existing suite to remain on the market while renovations were ongoing and the suite went through the development and building permit processes. This would bring suites into compliance overtime.
There are two major drawbacks to the amnesty idea. One the rental suite landlords will use the amnesty period to delay the inevitable shutting down of the suite, no intention of doing the renovations and will shutter the suite once the amnesty programs has run its course Two, what happens if there is a loss of life incident in the identified unsafe suite. The city owes a duty of care to the tenants to prevent unsafe situations.
(2) secondary suite whistleblower line. This program would allow for tenants to call about unsafe suites without fear of losing their home and being kicked out on the street.
I like the whistleblower hotline idea, infact I run the financial ethics whistleblower hotline for my employer. This would allow for quick identification of huge size and complexity of unsafe secondary suites.
One item that I don't like is restricting population of complainants to just tenants. I feel that anyone should be able to call in the unsafe secondary suite situation. This should include all types of tenants ( past, present, future), neighbours, general public. If complainant population is restricted it becomes much easier to identify who made the complaint, and while anti-retaliation provisions are in place, they will not be able to cover all circumstances.
(3) require secondary suite landlords to obtain and remain current a business licence.
I like idea the best as it affords an opportunity for the landlord / owner to remain true to then promises on development and responsibilities as set out by the city.
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If the suite is deemed unsafe, it would be shut down and the tenant would be kicked out, would they not? Unless (1) was also in effect. And I think you're right, the problem with (1) is a huge legal liability for the city who knows about an unsafe suite and doesn't act. Really the way amnesty would probably have to work is absence of fines for an unsafe suite if mitigation is ongoing, but no tenants during that time.
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