Tenant advocacy group ACORN is urging the City of Moncton to establish a landlord registration program, arguing it would help ensure rental properties meet health, safety and maintenance standards before serious problems arise.
Peter Jongeneelen, chair of Moncton ACORN, said the proposed program would create a comprehensive registry of rental units across the city and allow for proactive inspections of apartment buildings.
“Everyone deserves safe, healthy housing,” Jongeneelen said.
They’ll present their concerns to Moncton City Council at the Monday night meeting.
Jongeneelen said some rental units may currently operate without municipal oversight, including apartments in basements or attic spaces that may not be regularly inspected.
ACORN is calling for stronger enforcement of Moncton’s property standards bylaws and for a system that identifies rental properties and ensures they are maintained to acceptable standards.
Jongeneelen said tenants frequently report issues ranging from pest infestations and inadequate heating to water damage and mould.
“We see and hear about horrible living conditions every day from tenants in all neighbourhoods throughout Moncton,” he said.
According to ACORN, seniors have reported dealing with bedbugs and cockroaches, while some tenants have struggled to stay warm during winter months. Jongeneelen said poor maintenance can also create health risks, particularly for children and people living with disabilities.
The organization argues that a landlord registry would help protect existing housing stock at a time when affordable housing remains in short supply.
“We’re in a housing crisis,” Jongeneelen said, pointing to thousands of households on New Brunswick Housing waitlists and growing homelessness in Moncton.
Beyond addressing current concerns, ACORN says a registration system would help ensure newly built housing remains in good condition over the long term through regular inspections and accountability measures.
The group is proposing that the registry be administered by the municipality rather than the province.
Jongeneelen said the province’s current system relies largely on tenant complaints, while municipal bylaw officers can conduct inspections and verify that maintenance and safety issues have been properly addressed.
“It’s a way of double-checking it just to make sure,” he said.
He added that inspections could also identify potential fire safety concerns, such as missing smoke detectors or other hazards, with issues referred to fire officials when necessary.
ACORN has been advocating for the measure since the recent municipal election campaign and says it has discussed the idea with members of council.
Jongeneelen said several councillors have been receptive to the proposal, and the group is now seeking a council motion to examine the issue.
“We stand ready to help along in a consultative process and education pieces as well afterwards,” he said.
The organization recently presented a petition supporting the initiative and says it has received indications from city officials that the proposal may be considered for further review.
For now, ACORN hopes the discussion will lead to a formal study of how a landlord registration program could work in Moncton and whether it could help improve housing conditions for tenants across the city.
