Several residents occupying a building in Winnipeg’s West Broadway area have raised concerns about their privacy, rights, and safety being compromised by unauthorized construction activities that took place over the summer. This situation has led some tenants to vacate the premises. The new property owner, however, asserts that the aging structure necessitates upgrades and supports the management’s communications with tenants.
One former tenant, Mira Koop, who left in mid-October, disputes the handling of the renovations. Koop emphasized the existence of proper legal procedures that could have been followed and criticized the disruptive approach taken by the new owner.
The upheaval began when a new property management company, Chanden Homes Ltd., assumed control of the buildings at 640 and 644 Westminster Ave. Without prior notice, Koop returned from a trip to find her appliances replaced and her internet connection disrupted. Subsequently, extensive renovations commenced, impacting Koop’s living conditions adversely.
Allegations from Koop included hazardous conditions such as open floor holes in back porch fire exits and intrusion into her living space during HVAC system preparations. She also highlighted instances of contractors entering her unit without providing the mandatory 24-hour written notice required by the Residential Tenancies Branch.
Other tenants echoed Koop’s sentiments, recounting experiences of unauthorized entry into their units and abrupt changes proposed by the new landlord, such as increased rent and additional utility charges.
The new owner, Justin Beaulieu, defended the renovation work, citing the necessity of upgrades for the century-old building. Despite claims of work commencing before possession, Beaulieu emphasized the need for essential improvements.
City records revealed a lack of construction permits for the property since 2000, with the contractor, Bosk Construction, stating their belief that certain work did not require permits initially. They later applied for necessary permits after being instructed to halt operations by a city inspector.
Efforts were made to address tenant concerns, with the company asserting compliance with regulations and issuing notices following tenant apprehension. However, tenants reported inadequate responses to their complaints and a lack of improvement in services.
Tenants sought assistance from the Residential Tenancies Branch to address the situation but found the responses to be unsatisfactory. Despite challenges, tenants like Koop are speaking out to hold accountable those responsible for the disruptions and to ensure the well-being of their fellow residents.
The tenants emphasized that their decision to leave was not solely due to financial reasons but stemmed from poor communication and a lack of respect shown towards them by the management.