Changes are likely coming to the minimum housing standards by-law in the Town of Yarmouth.
Council passed first reading of the changes at last week’s meeting.
Mayor Pam Mood says the town would incur costs up to $1,500 for items impacting health and safety.
“In circumstances where landlords haven’t followed an order, and tenants are at risk health wise. All the costs up to the approved limit would be a lien against the property and subject to interest charges.”
Mood says anything that impacts immediate health and safety of a tenant, including utilities, and a lack of heating or water is on the table.
She says the town receives many reports of minimum housing issues, and with very little availability of rental units right now, the town wants to help keep tenants in their dwellings.
A new section on enforcement was also added to the by-law, to deter squatters and property owners that are knowingly violating safety orders.
