Council moves to banish renovictions with new licensing law

Responding to “unsavory” displacement of long-term tenants, Sarnia Council has ordered a new bylaw to provide immediate protections against the practice of renovictions.

In a unanimous vote, Sarnia City Council has directed staff to draft a "renoviction bylaw" within 60 days to protect the city’s most vulnerable residents from being forced out of their homes. The move follows high-profile displacement of tenants on Exmouth Street and long-term vacancies on Brentley.

The proposed bylaw, modeled after a recent policy in London, Ontario, would require landlords to obtain a $750 "rental unit repair license" before they can issue an N13 notice to a tenant. Landlords would also be required to provide a certified report from a qualified professional stating that repairs are so extensive they require the unit to be vacant.

"Due to the unsavory practice of renovictions, the city must act now with a renoviction bylaw to protect vulnerable tenants, including seniors, the disabled, young adults, single mothers, etc.," said Councillor Bill Dennis during the meeting. He noted that while many landlords are responsible, "there are some that need extra rules so we can protect our citizens".

The bylaw would introduce significant financial penalties for non-compliance, with fines ranging from $500 to $5,000. "We certainly can't stall city operations on major projects," Dennis added, but emphasized that "our language needs to bring our community together and not divide us".