Judging by the popularity of my first article on illegal basement apartments in Brampton, the topic still strikes a lot of interest with readers. And now the debate rages on as Brampton city councillors announce that they’re preparing to look into the subject again in the very near future.
Here are some interesting things to note from statistics compiled from 2007:
- Deterring illegal basement apartments has proven to be difficult as provincial fines are set at only $100 – $500.
- Of the 600 complaints filed by other residents last year, most were wrong in their reports. Most cases turned out to involve extended families living within the household.
- Home owners are legally allowed to refuse city bylaw officers from entering their home, as city workers actually have no right of entry. Of the 600 complaints last year, 75 refused entry to city officials. Firefighters DO have right to entry if they believe there is a safety hazard.
- Brampton currently employs 10 bylaw enforcement officers to investigate complaints.
- The number of complaints has dropped this year. There have been 78 this year to date.
Some of the big issues that are created by an excess of illegal basement apartments are property standards, parking, traffic congestion, and overburdening infrastructure such as schools.
If you’re looking for more information about the legalities of illegal basement apartments in Brampton, please check my earlier article linked above. In the meantime, you can check this article that goes more into depth about Brampton’s current stance on illegal basement apartments.
This post has 2 comments |
An officer from the city of Brampton and the Fire Inspector came into my basement apartment that I am renting. The city deemed it illegal and the fire marshall said we cant use the dryer. The lady upstairs (who is the landlords sister) continued using the dryer and I have now recieved an eviction notice to move out in 7 days. I was suppose to move the end of May but due to illness I couldnt find a place till July 1st. I have a 15 year old son that is starting xams and we have no where to go till July 1st. Where,What,How can I do anything to stay yill the end of June? This is very stressful for me as I am also on Ontario Works waiting for ODSP.
hi i have a problem with the bilaw service they came into my home ( i did not know that i can refuse entry) the officer took a few pictures of the basement later on i recieved a summons that i am now being charged. at the time i was living in the property and my brother stayed in the basement i did tell the officer this but he contiued with the pictures. according to the charge i am now being charged with renting out the apartment which was not the case. what can i do now?