If the same address generates the same complaint over and over, residents are not asking whether London has a by-law. They are asking why the problem is still there.
WHAT I WOULD PUSH FOR / REVIEW
Worst repeat properties first. Use vacant-building and doorway rules that already exist. Short-term rentals are a test of whether the current rules are actually enforced. I will not invent a citywide apartment rental licence that Council has not written.
WHAT ENFORCEMENT SHOULD CHANGE
Repeat addresses that actually improve, clearer enforcement outcomes and problem listings or conditions that do not simply return.
EVIDENCE THAT MATTERS
London's 2025 Municipal Compliance summary reports 10,332 complaints investigated, including 3,634 yard/lot complaints, 1,390 property-standards complaints and 2,149 licensing complaints.
Why it matters: More than ten thousand complaints means enforcement is not an occasional edge case. The public question is whether repeat complaints and repeat addresses actually improve after the City intervenes.
City of London — 2025 Municipal Compliance Annual Summary ↗REPEAT PROBLEMS FIRST
By-laws, licensing, property standards, repeat enforcement, short-term rentals and rental licensing are separate rule sets. The first question is whether the existing rule is being applied and changing the condition.
ON THIS RULE
For by-laws, publish the applicable rule, the complaint path, the enforcement standard and the point at which repeat non-compliance moves to stronger municipal action.
ON THIS RULE
For business licensing, keep requirements and renewal steps understandable, enforce the same rules consistently, and avoid adding new licensing complexity unless there is a clear public-service reason.
ENFORCEMENT TEST
Put the worst repeat property-standard and vacant-building files first and show whether enforcement changes the address.
ENFORCEMENT TEST
Track repeat addresses so the system is judged by whether the same problem keeps returning after enforcement.
ENFORCEMENT TEST
Judge the next short-term-rental decision on whether the current licensing and enforcement rules are actually working.
Judge the next rule change on whether the current licensing and enforcement framework is actually working.
ON THIS RULE
Rental-licensing expansion is a new policy decision. Do not pretend it is already settled; publish the evidence and scope before the vote.
Any broader rental-licensing policy remains a new Council decision, not a settled campaign promise.
OPEN DECISION
Future short-term-rental changes and expansion of rental licensing remain open. The current standard is to test enforcement and evidence before writing a broader rule.
Council writes municipal bylaws and licensing policy. Municipal Law Enforcement administers and enforces them within the legal framework. Individual operational enforcement decisions are not personally directed by one councillor.
Put repeat addresses and repeat complaints first, ask for non-identifying status reporting that the City can lawfully provide, and use Council to review the bylaw or policy only when the evidence shows the existing rule is not enough.
GO DEEPER
The main answer stays here. Open the deeper file when you want the mechanism, motion, proposal or supporting record.
