Projet Montreal proposes landlord certification to protect tenants from rent hikes, renovictions
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante and her party Projet Montréal is proposing the creation of a responsible landlord certificate "to protect the affordability and quality of Montreal's rental housing network."
This comes after what some have called "abusive" increases in rental prices, as well as the growing phenomenon of renovictions, where tenants see themselves evicted under the guise of significant home renovations.
"The certification will be required of landlords who have buildings with eight or more units throughout the City of Montreal, representing nearly 216,000 units," the party states.
However, for the Regroupement des comités logement et associations de locataires du Québec (RCLALQ), the measure doesn't go far enough.
"[We are] disappointed that this measure would only be mandatory for buildings with eight units or more," the organization states. "What will happen to the other dwellings that make up the majority of Montreal's rental network? For RCLALQ, all tenants in the city -- and in the rest of Quebec -- must be protected from abusive rent increases and evictions, especially in the context of a housing crisis."
Nevertheless, according to Projet Montréal, the responsible landlord certification, as part of a municipal registry, will:
- Validate key information for tenants, such as price, building permits and condition of the buildings;
- Protect tenants from renovictions as planned works will be recorded over a five-year period to prove their necessity;
- Provide reliable and complete data about a dwelling;
- Ensure the safety and health of rental buildings by requiring plans for pest management, fire system compliance, elevator functionality and mould status;
- Allow the city to tailor its actions and programs to the condition of buildings and the needs of owners;
- Simplify the process of finding affordable and safe housing.
"Projet Montréal is taking a strong stance to fight against abusive rent increases and the phenomenon of renovictions," said Plante. "This is a major change that will simplify the lives of Montreal tenants and support them in defending their rights."
RCLALQ notes it has been calling for a mandatory provincial rent registry for more than 35 years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members today during a ceremony at British Columbia's legislature cenotaph commemorating the Second World War's Battle of the Atlantic.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.