Public engagement is underway as the Municipality of Chatham-Kent moves forward with a proposed bylaw aimed at regulating renovictions.
Council directed administration on Feb. 9, 2026, to draft a renoviction licensing bylaw, with requirements to consult tenant advocacy groups, landlord representatives and housing experts. The direction also called for the proposed bylaw to address enforcement mechanisms, administrative fees, appeal processes, compliance reporting and alignment with practices in other municipalities.
Administration has since developed a draft Rental Renovation Licence By-law and reviewed three potential options.
Residents will have two opportunities to provide input before council considers the proposal. Online feedback is being accepted from May 1 to May 20 through the Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent engagement forum. A public meeting is also scheduled for May 13 at 6 p.m. at the Chatham Cultural Centre, Studio One.
Feedback gathered through both the online forum and the public meeting will be summarized and presented to council alongside the draft bylaw.
Officials noted that, in accordance with Section 7.10(c) of the municipality’s procedure bylaw, deputations will not be received at the council meeting when at least one public meeting has been held where the public had an opportunity to make formal presentations on the subject.
More information on the draft Rental Renovation Licence By-law and details on how to submit comments are available online at: https://www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/renovictions.
