Prince Albert administration recommends voluntary approach to landlord accountability 

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The review followed a 2024 council motion that asked administration to look at requiring landlords with multiple rental properties to obtain a business licence, with the goal of reducing nuisance properties and improving landlord accountability. 

Voluntary registry

Prince Albert administration recommends voluntary approach to landlord accountability

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Administration reviewed a one-landlord, one-licence model, but found suspending a licence over one problem property could affect other units owned by the same landlord, even if they had no compliance issues. 

A licence-per-unit model would better match fees with inspection costs, but could also lead to higher costs being passed on to tenants. 

Instead, staff recommend a two-stream approach. One stream would use a time-limited voluntary compliance campaign, safety registry, incentive information and public recognition for landlords providing certified safe rental units. 

The other would see the city work with Prince Albert police and participating property owners on a Crime Free Multi-Housing program for larger buildings, focused on training, safety assessments and tenant safety activities. 

Enforcement would still be used for properties with serious or recurring safety concerns, or where owners do not respond to voluntary compliance efforts. 

Information from bylaw, police and fire calls would also feed a Housing Data Dashboard to help target enforcement where it is most needed. 

Administration said the approach is intended to improve safety and accountability while avoiding unintended consequences such as tenant displacement or reduced rental supply. 

If approved, administration would report back with funding options, performance measures and any recommended changes before launching the program. A broader mandatory registry or licensing program would only come back if the voluntary approach fails to deliver results and the city has enough enforcement capacity to support it. 

Council meets at 4 p.m. at city hall on Oct. 13.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com