Windsor adopts residential standards bylaw

By Christy Marsters

The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com

Windsor now has regulations outlining minimal acceptable housing standards.

At their Oct. 28 session, Windsor town councillors voted 4-1 to pass the Minimum Standards By-Law 36.

The purpose of the bylaw is to establish safe, secure and healthy living conditions for all residents by ensuring everyone within Windsor will meet a set minimum living standard.

Many municipal units currently have by-laws like this one to ensure the safety and well being of those living in the community, outgoing Mayor Anna Allen said. “We’re trying to protect people.”

The bylaw is a tool to prevent landlords from not looking after a property, Allen said. “It’s not to make things difficult for people. The little things, we’re not concerned about.”

Fire prevention, structural soundness, roofs, foundations, exterior walls, minimal pests, windows, doors, egress, stair decks, balconies, interior walls, ceilings, floors, fireplaces, fuel-burning appliances, chimneys, heating, plumbing facilities, fixtures, bathrooms, kitchens, sleeping rooms, electrical systems, natural lighting and ventilations are all outlined as important for home upkeep within the Minimum Standards By-Law 36.

Before this bylaw, the town didn’t have any protection for residents, Allen added. “If people are fearing for their living conditions they need to act. Don’t be afraid to call the town.”

Inspection of premises will be conducted, on complaint driven basis, pursuant to this by-law. Following an inspection, if a building does not meet the by-law standards, an order to comply will be served in writing to the owner as copies may also be given to building occupants. Owners must then provide a schedule for fixing the building to set standards.

Penalties for failure to comply with this by-law could result in fines of no less than $215 and no more than $10,000. Payment default could lead to imprisonment of up to 60 days.

Further Penalties could include $100 or 10 days imprisonment for each day a failure to comply continues. Each standard not met in this by-law is considered a separate offense.