A Landlord in Vancouver is being accused of using an intimidation tactic by keeping the heat on during a devastating heatwave.
According to the Vancouver Tenants Union (VTU), a Vancouver landlord is implementing “potentially deadly intimidation tactics.”
“The hallways have always been overheated, but the heatwave this weekend has made it dangerous. And the lack of maintenance of the vents and the negligence by the property managers just adds insult to injury.” says an anonymous tenant in the building in a statement sent to Daily Hive Urbanized.
The VTU suggests tenants have literally begged their landlord to turn the heat down, with temperatures having allegedly reached 55˚C inside.
The building in question is at 95 East 14th Avenue in Mount Pleasant, and VTU says it is operated by Martello Property Services. The VTU names Stanley J. Dee as the landlord.
Tenants in the building first contacted Martello on June 23, according to VTU, and say they were told that a plumber was required to turn off the heat.A week later — as of June 30 — the heat has yet to be shut off.“
The previous management under the previous owner could turn off the heat in the hallways with no issue, so there’s no reason they can’t do this now. In fact, I think they are maximizing the discomfort to send a message about renovicting us,” says the anonymous tenant.
The situation is now in the hands of the province’s Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB), which oversees disputes between tenants and landlords, but they can take over a week to respond to a situation like this.
fellow americans that 55°C = 131°F
Martello Property Services number is (604) 681-6544 and building landlord Stanley J. Dee is 604.683.0002 and [email protected]
