MINIMUM STANDARDS NEEDED TO BETTER PROTECT RENTERS
Renters must be better protected from landlords who fail to provide minimum health and safety standards, says NDP leader Todd Hardy.
"The Landlord and Tenant Act does not adequately address this issue, believe it or not," adds Hardy. "It desperately needs updating. But there is another way to protect tenants from non-compliant or negligent landlords."
Under the Public Safety Act, cabinet can make regulations respecting the prevention and removal of unsafe or unhealthy substances or conditions on public or private property.
"This can be done right away," Hardy says. "I strongly urge the premier to instruct his officials to do this in language that is both clear and tough.
"Some of the rental stock in the Yukon is hazardous and unhealthy. We need to do more to protect tenants and their children from these conditions and situations."
Hardy recently tried to walk through a rental unit but found the mould and accompanying smell so strong he was unable to stay inside.
"When I walked into her place, I was literally knocked down by the dank and reek. In this day and age, nobody should be living in conditions as miserable or dangerous as that."