Several residents in a property located in the West Broadway area of Winnipeg have raised concerns about unauthorized construction activities that have reportedly infringed on their rights, privacy, and safety over the past few months. This situation led some tenants to vacate the premises, citing dissatisfaction with the management’s handling of the situation.
Mira Koop, one of the former tenants who moved out in mid-October, expressed her discontent with the way the new owner managed the property. Koop emphasized that there are proper legal procedures to follow when making changes to a property, criticizing the abrupt and disruptive actions taken by the management.
The issues began when a new owner acquired the adjacent buildings at 640 and 644 Westminster Ave. in July. Subsequently, tenants like Koop experienced unexpected changes in their living conditions, such as unannounced appliance replacements and disruptive renovations without proper notice.
The renovation work, which included modifications to fire exits and intrusive construction activities within individual units, significantly impacted the residents’ quality of life. Koop highlighted instances where contractors entered her unit without the required notice, further adding to the distress caused by the ongoing construction work.
Furthermore, some tenants reported instances of unauthorized entry by contractors for measurements and expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed rent increase by the new landlord, exceeding the provincial guideline. The tenants felt that the management’s communication and responses to their grievances were inadequate and often dismissive.
In response to the tenants’ complaints, the new owner defended the renovation work, citing the necessity of upgrading the aging building. Despite the absence of recent construction permits for the property, the owner explained that the renovations were essential due to the building’s age.
The contractor involved in the renovations stated that they believed the work did not require permits initially but later applied for them following a city inspection. The company assured that proper notice protocols were followed before entering any tenant’s unit.
While the tenants sought assistance from the Residential Tenancies Branch and expressed concerns about the management’s conduct, they felt that the responses received were insufficient in addressing their grievances. The tenants stressed the importance of respectful communication and adherence to legal requirements by the property management.
As the situation unfolded, Koop decided to move out after receiving a notice that erroneously implied she had abandoned her unit. Despite her decision to leave, Koop hoped that speaking out about her experience would hold the management accountable and protect the remaining tenants from similar hardships.
The tenants expressed their frustration with the lack of respect and communication from the management, emphasizing that their primary reason for leaving was the disregard for their rights and well-being.