The Mayor of Brampton has labeled the landlord of a rental property where a tragic fire claimed the lives of five family members as an “absentee landlord” due to a history of compliance issues spanning six years.
During the devastating incident on Banas Way, Mayor Patrick Brown disclosed on November 20 that city inspectors had faced repeated refusals of entry by the landlord.
Mayor Brown stated, “Efforts to ensure compliance have been ongoing since 2019. Throughout this period, it appears we’ve been contending with an absentee landlord as reported by neighbors.”
In a social media post, Brown added, “The City had issued numerous directives to adhere to building and fire safety regulations.”
Officials confirmed that current municipal regulations did not grant inspectors the power to enter the property despite persistent concerns. Solicitor General Michael Kerzner highlighted at a press briefing that local fire services held the jurisdiction in such cases and further investigation was required.
Kerzner remarked, “This matter falls under their purview for investigation.”
As per Ontario’s Fire Prevention and Protection Act, fire chiefs possess the authority to enter and inspect a property without a warrant if there is a significant risk of a fire endangering lives. It remains uncertain if Brampton authorities escalated the recurring compliance issues to the fire department before the tragic incident occurred.
The fire engulfed the rental property occupied by 11 individuals, resulting in the confirmed deaths of five family members — including three women, a toddler, and a newborn baby. Four others are currently hospitalized and reported to be in stable condition.
Peel Regional Police disclosed that most residents of the Brampton house were part of a multi-generational family residing at the location, which was ultimately demolished post the catastrophic fire.
A 2021 rental listing for 12 Banas Way, discovered by CityNews, showcased missing or dangling smoke alarms in rooms. The property was advertised as a spacious four-bedroom home with a finished basement available for rent.
The property’s landlord, who also owns three other Brampton properties, was contacted by CityNews. His attorney stated that the landlord was unaware of the number of occupants in the house and denied any knowledge of communication or inspection requests from the City.
Brampton is in the process of a pilot project in select areas that mandates landlords to secure licenses akin to business permits. This initiative equips the city with enhanced inspection capabilities to combat unsafe rental practices.
Notably, the Banas Way property was excluded from the pilot program. A proposal is set to be presented to the city council this week to extend the licensing initiative across all wards.