Two absentee property owners of a multi-residential building have been fined $34,000 in violations under the City of Brantford’s Property Standards Bylaw.
Property owners, Jong Hak Kim and Hae Jung Shin, both of North York, Ontario, were found guilty of four counts for failing to comply with Property Standards Orders under the Building Code Act, following multiple trials at the Provincial Offences Courthouse.
The charges stem from numerous property standards violations at a multi-unit property located at 46 Colborne Street, Brantford, Ont. City Bylaw Officers identified significant issues across multiple units, including water leaks, water damage, extensive mold, broken windows, and walls and ceilings patched with cardboard. Some of these deficiencies were found within children’s bedrooms, raising serious health and safety concerns.
“The City of Brantford Bylaw department receives between 900 to 1,000 calls per year regarding property standards complaints, in which we average a 92 per cent compliance rate,” said Dave Wiedrick, Director of Bylaw and Security for the City of Brantford. “Our officers investigate these complaints based on an education-based compliance model that focuses on fostering understanding and voluntary compliance rather than punitive enforcement. Unfortunately, landlords who refuse to bring their property into compliance are taken to court where legal authority forces compliance with City bylaws.”
Absentee landlords are reminded that they are responsible for the care and maintenance of their properties and must ensure rental units meet all applicable standards for tenant safety and well-being.
