I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Sahtu, that Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Residential Tenancies Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill includes a number of amendments to update the Residential Tenancies Act and to streamline the application and hearing process, including amendments that would:
allow a landlord to require a pet security deposit from a tenant who keeps or plans to keep a pet on a rental premises;
require landlords to conduct inspection of rental premises at the beginning and end of tenancy and provide opportunities for tenants to participate;
allow interest rates on security deposits and pet security deposits to be set in the regulations;
limit the rental officer’s discretion to terminate a fixed-term tenancy before the end of the term in circumstances where the tenant has not breached obligations under the agreement;
provide the rental officer with the discretion to determine whether to mediate or proceed directly to a hearing when an application is received;
empower the rental officer to issue eviction orders;
allow the rental officer to conduct hearings by a method of telecommunication;
require the rental officer to make an annual report to the Minister, and require it to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Bill 6 has had second reading and is referred to committee.
Motion carried; Bill 6 read a second time and referred to a standing committee.
