On my Facebook post about the neglectful condition of an historic house on the City's main street, an Oshawa resident made a comment about another house.
She lives across the street from a house she said has been abandoned for over 7 years and where there have been numerous neighbour complaints about property standards not being maintained.
I wrote her that my goal in raising awareness of the neglect of the historic house on Simcoe St. and the Demolition by Neglect issue is to see that Council moves for a serious update to the Property Standards By-law so that owners of vacant homes and irresponsible absentee landlords are held accountable. Administrative Municipal Penalties (AMPs) should be issued.
Since 2017 the Ontario Building Act has allowed municipalities to issue AMPs, but Oshawa's Property Standards By-law does not set this out. It must be changed to include this tool.
The frustration that irresponsible owners cause not only neighbours but the whole City in terms of time and money (hence taxpayers) and the image of Oshawa has become increasingly problematic. Repeat inspections and the issuance of orders which are ignored and then the court process that drags matters on are costly and time consuming.
I am hopeful, right at the outset when these problems cause something that very negatively impacts the area, the City could be issuing AMPs to 'nip it in the bud'. AMPs can be added to the By-law. It is a surprise they were not when the Ontario Building Act was changed in 2017 to allow them.
Also imo, it may be time the City of Oshawa investigate a Vacant Home Tax like the Toronto approved two months ago, in December 2020.
Toronto approved an implementing plan for starting a tax on vacant homes in the City of Toronto next year: "residential property owners would be required to make a declaration each year about the occupancy status of the home...City staff will report back to Council later in 2021 on how the tax will be implemented, as time will be needed to develop the technology, a public awareness campaign, exemptions, administrative and enforcement functions" https://www.toronto.ca/.../city-council-approves-an.../
If residents of the City of Oshawa are concerned about the neglectful condition of abandoned buildings in their community they might consider emailing [email protected] and ask the Mayor and Council to consider a Vacant Home Tax, like the City of Toronto approved an implementation plan for a few weeks ago.
Potential good outcomes,
1) help reduce complaints by residents frustrated by mess and/or hazard of buildings left vacant for years;
2) increase funds to cover staff follow up on complaints arising from buildings left vacant for years; and
3) as Mayor Tory is quoted as saying "The vacant home tax will increase the housing supply in Toronto. This will help open up the housing and rental market. The vast majority of Toronto residents will not pay this tax but our entire city will benefit from more housing and more affordable housing. City staff will now do the work to make sure this is implemented in the right way.”
I am interested in knowing if some see any downside to a Vacant Home Tax in Oshawa, and what that might be.
She lives across the street from a house she said has been abandoned for over 7 years and where there have been numerous neighbour complaints about property standards not being maintained.
I wrote her that my goal in raising awareness of the neglect of the historic house on Simcoe St. and the Demolition by Neglect issue is to see that Council moves for a serious update to the Property Standards By-law so that owners of vacant homes and irresponsible absentee landlords are held accountable. Administrative Municipal Penalties (AMPs) should be issued.
Since 2017 the Ontario Building Act has allowed municipalities to issue AMPs, but Oshawa's Property Standards By-law does not set this out. It must be changed to include this tool.
The frustration that irresponsible owners cause not only neighbours but the whole City in terms of time and money (hence taxpayers) and the image of Oshawa has become increasingly problematic. Repeat inspections and the issuance of orders which are ignored and then the court process that drags matters on are costly and time consuming.
I am hopeful, right at the outset when these problems cause something that very negatively impacts the area, the City could be issuing AMPs to 'nip it in the bud'. AMPs can be added to the By-law. It is a surprise they were not when the Ontario Building Act was changed in 2017 to allow them.
Also imo, it may be time the City of Oshawa investigate a Vacant Home Tax like the Toronto approved two months ago, in December 2020.
Toronto approved an implementing plan for starting a tax on vacant homes in the City of Toronto next year: "residential property owners would be required to make a declaration each year about the occupancy status of the home...City staff will report back to Council later in 2021 on how the tax will be implemented, as time will be needed to develop the technology, a public awareness campaign, exemptions, administrative and enforcement functions" https://www.toronto.ca/.../city-council-approves-an.../
If residents of the City of Oshawa are concerned about the neglectful condition of abandoned buildings in their community they might consider emailing [email protected] and ask the Mayor and Council to consider a Vacant Home Tax, like the City of Toronto approved an implementation plan for a few weeks ago.
Potential good outcomes,
1) help reduce complaints by residents frustrated by mess and/or hazard of buildings left vacant for years;
2) increase funds to cover staff follow up on complaints arising from buildings left vacant for years; and
3) as Mayor Tory is quoted as saying "The vacant home tax will increase the housing supply in Toronto. This will help open up the housing and rental market. The vast majority of Toronto residents will not pay this tax but our entire city will benefit from more housing and more affordable housing. City staff will now do the work to make sure this is implemented in the right way.”
I am interested in knowing if some see any downside to a Vacant Home Tax in Oshawa, and what that might be.