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EMERGENCY DEPUTATION FROM ROB HILTON OF A.G. SECURE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CONCERNING MOTION 22-G-116, TENANT WATER BILLING
Councillor, S. Morales stated that in consultation with the Integrity Commissioner concerning his code obligation under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act that he is declaring a potential pecuniary interest in the foregoing matter as he can be financially impacted as he is a landlord. He did not participate or vote on the foregoing matter. He left the Council Chambers during discussion and voting on this matter.
Councillor, J. Harris declared a potential pecuniary interest in the foregoing matter as he can be financially impacted and is a landlord. He left the Council Chambers during discussion and voting on this matter.
Rob Hilton of AG Secure Property Management advised that landlords will be impacted if tenant water and wastewater billing is discontinued. He explained that there are potential three solutions such as maintaining status quo with tenant water billing, change billing information to landlord or charge a set up fee for water accounts. He suggested possibly researching how other service providers handle account set up charges.
He explained that if the tenants are paying their own water bills there is more opportunity for them to save costs and conserve water versus having the landlord pay the bill. Mr. Hilton advised that in accordance with the Residential Tenancy Landlord Act landlords are prohibited from cutting off services deemed vital if the tenant fails to pay. Mr. Hilton felt that the City should look at the unintended consequences of the proposal and focus on a solution that will provide value to the community at large.
Mr. Hilton highlighted that a simple account setup fee is one that recovers costs of usage with those utilizing the utility.