The City of Saskatoon will consider a consultative multi-stakeholder approach to hold landlords accountable for rental properties that get repeat visits from police, fire and bylaw enforcement.

Mayor Charlie Clark says the current system isn’t working and wants staff to put together a plan with input from police, fire, landlords, residents, business as well as housing and associated agencies.

Clark feels without changes the problem which has plagued authorities for several years won’t go away.

Ruth Engele of the Renters of Saskatoon and Area told the city’s Planning Development and Community Services Committee their rental housing plan lacks coordination.

Engele said tenants feel there are no mechanisms to seriously address safety issues and are intimidated or simply afraid to register complaints.

The committee has also endorsed a plan to step up monitoring and enforcement on landlords of problematic properties.

The recommendation calls for the addition of one-and-a-half positions to execute the plan which includes follow-up inspections.

Riversdale resident David Fineday who was a volunteer inspector for several years before their group was disbanded said the addition of 1.5 staff members wouldn’t come close to solving the problem.

The other option under consideration was a rental licensing program but there was little support for that idea.

Pic: rental.jpg