CBC News: Renoviction bylaw passes another council hurdle with the public now able to weigh in

The bylaw as currently proposed comes with an almost $600K price tag.

The City of London is one step closer to cracking down on renovictions after a council committee agreed to start collecting public input on a proposed bylaw Monday.

City staff had recommended the bylaw be brought before council on June 25, but after closer consideration, they have requested feedback from Londoners first.

The draft bylaw currently sees a $400 per-unit licensing fee to landlords who want to serve tenants an N13 form notifying them of evicting due to the demolition, renovation or conversion of their unit.

“I see [renovictions] as an epidemic in our city. It’s going unchecked. It’s resulting in a systematic drive to increase our rents, and it’s unraveling a big chunk of the city’s societal fabric,” Coun. David Ferreira said during the committee meeting.

“Families are getting kicked out from first their neighbourhoods, then their communities, and sometimes the city itself,” he said.

Renovictions are a growing concern in London. Tenant rights advocates say landlords are abusing N13 forms to evict, then dramatically raise rents.

Data obtained by tenant advocacy group ACORN in February pegged London as having among the highest number of N12 and N13 forms issued in Ontario from 2017 to 2023.

Committee members voted unanimously in favour of starting the public participation process for a future bylaw to crack down on those practices.

“When it comes to people who are trying to turn our housing into strictly investments, I would have this message for you,” said Ferreira, who said he has several N13 forms from constituents on his desk at the moment. “A home is a home. A home is not a commodity. Expect the loopholes to close, and please start investing with wisdom, not greed.”

According to city staff, if all goes according to plan, a bylaw could be in place by early 2025.

Still, some unknowns and concerns loom, most of which will be ironed out by the time council is asked to make a decision on its fate, according to staff..

“I am a little concerned about the proposed staffing cost that’s laid out for six individuals and about a $600,000 price tag,” said Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis.

Lewis expressed concerns over the $400 proposed licensing cost and whether the revenue the city generates issuing them will be enough to cover the cost of implementing the bylaw.

It’s also unclear how much landlords in breach of the bylaw would be fined, a number that would have to be laid out in a separate bylaw.

Staff also told councillors that any requirements laid out by the bylaw would not be applied retroactively, meaning it would only apply to N13 forms issued after its implementation.

As for N12 forms, which are issued by landlords who want to evict tenants so their families, themselves or someone purchasing the property can use it, staff said a separate bylaw would likely have to be worked on in the future.

As of Monday, the council committee voted to receive the bylaw as currently proposed, and begin the public participation process. It’s scheduled to take place July 15.

City staff estimate council could be voting on the final bylaw in the fall.

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Article by Alessio Donnini for CBC News