Hampstead takes action to protect tenants with settlement – Montreal
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The town of Hampstead has passed a proposed bylaw change it says will better protect tenants.
Before landlords can get a permit from the city to do work that would require tenants to move, the landlord must have the tenant’s written consent to move.
According to Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi, the impetus for change came a week ago when a resident contacted the town for help.
« They basically said ‘my landlord is trying to kick me out and I’ve lived here for 35 years, he claims there’s going to be major renovations,' » Levi told Global News from his office.
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Levi said when the city reviewed the permit application, the landlord said the unit was empty and work needed to be done on a closet.
« So as soon as we found out, we revoked the permit, » Levi said.
The mayor stressed that the project is an amendment to an existing by-law on permits and certificates and not a new law.
He added that he applies an existing provincial law, which states that a tenant must agree to vacate the premises while work is in progress.
He pointed out that if a tenant refuses and the landlord takes the case to Housing Court and wins, the city will comply with the ruling.
Property lawyer Christina Muccari agrees that the new draft rule changes add an extra layer of protection for tenants.
“It ensures, for example, that a tenant who did not consent to the work being carried out, would not be evicted from their dwelling because the landlord had lied to the city in order to try to obtain permit, » she added. Explain.
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The lawyer believes this can help prevent a case from going through an already overcrowded court system.
“It forces landlords and tenants to settle the matter before taking the matter to court,” Muccari pointed out.
Tenants who voted against the demolition of apartment buildings on Côte-St-Luc Road in 2019 believe the proposed settlement gives tenants hope and more control.
Some like Eland Hersh are relieved and hope that this decision will serve as an example for other municipalities.
« It provides a level of comfort and hopefully takes away some of the fear that a lot of people have, » Hersh said.
Hampstead hopes the amendment will pass at the next council meeting on October 6.
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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