Surrey is working on Standards of Maintenance bylaw that could see a crackdown on buildings that are not kept in good living condition.
The issue is currently before the city’s Social Planning Committee, chaired by Coun. Judy Villeneuve.
Villeneuve said Wednesday the issue came up last spring and the committee has been working on it since. The committee will be meeting with tenancy groups next month to make sure there will be no overlap in responsibilities. The committee is also reviewing similar bylaws in other municipalities to see what works and what doesn’t.
Villeneuve said there will likely be a fine attached to non-compliance with the bylaw.
She noted the legislation would help address the ongoing bedbug problem at Ted Kuhn Towers, which is infested with the parasites.
Villeneuve said there’s a growing problem regionally with bedbugs, which are also prevalent in some of downtown Vancouver’s better hotels.
Villeneuve said the legislation should be ready for council’s adoption in December or January.
She said in the meantime, Surrey will work with B.C. Housing to help eliminate the bedbug problem at Ted Kuhn Towers.
kdiakiw@surreyleader.com