‘Squalor’: Family of 8 says landlord won’t fix dilapidated rental in Coquitlam, B.C. – BC | 24CA News
A Coquitlam, B.C. household is talking out after struggling many months in a dilapidated rental dwelling they are saying their landlord refuses to repair.
Yaser Hamdo, his spouse and 6 youngsters have lived on the Edgar Avenue dwelling for about three years, paying roughly $2,300 per 30 days. In that point, Hamdo mentioned he has raised restore points with the owner a number of occasions, to no avail.
“Dangerous,” he informed Global News, pointing to mould on the ceiling above one among his youngsters’s bunk beds.
Two of a number of holes within the flooring of Yaser Hamdo’s Edgar Avenue dwelling in Coquitlam, B.C. are seen on Mon. March 27, 2023.
Nic Amaya/Global News
Global News reached out to the owner a number of occasions by telephone for touch upon this story however didn’t obtain a response. The City of Coquitlam mentioned it had no jurisdiction over landlord-tenant disputes, and didn’t present additional remark.
The ailing property on Edgar Avenue has mould in a number of locations, damp basement flooring, warped ceiling tiles susceptible to caving in, damaged flooring tiles within the kitchen, gaping holes within the balcony flooring, and extra.
Hamdo mentioned his youngest has already tripped and injured himself on the kitchen flooring tiles and he’s frightened one will fall via the balcony flooring subsequent, if they don’t seem to be cautious.
“It’s unhuman actually to put somebody in this type of squalor,” mentioned Saad Alexan, a pal who’s advocating for Hamdo and translating the interview for him.
Hamdo and his household moved to B.C. 5 years in the past as refugees from Syria. Without good English, Alexan mentioned advocating for himself and his household has been troublesome.
“He is taking a really very courageous step by stepping forward trying to improve his life and his family’s life,” mentioned Alexan. “It’s becoming unlivable, essentially appalling conditions.”
A improvement utility signal is posted on the Edgar Avenue property garden.
Speaking via Alexan, Hamdo mentioned he has tried to search out different lodging, however with a small price range and 6 youngsters, the duty has been “next to impossible.”
According to B.C.’s Residential Tenancy Act, landlords should keep residential property “in a state of decoration and repair that complies with the health, safety and housing standards required by law.”
Tenants should not required to make repairs themselves for affordable put on and tear, and landlords are required to offer tenants with contact info for the particular person accountable for emergency repairs.
“I empathize with this family and the difficulties they are having with their landlord. This is certainly not the experience we would want them to have upon their arrival to British Columbia,” mentioned Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon in an emailed assertion.
“There are remedies available through the Residential Tenancy Branch and we’re continuing to add resources to the branch to strengthen its ability to respond quickly in cases like this. People deserve safe, and properly maintained accommodation.”
Tenants who want repairs ought to request them in writing, clearly explaining the issue, and make a copy of the doc, based on the Housing Ministry. If a landlord doesn’t repair the issue in an affordable timeframe, the tenant can apply for dispute decision via the Residential Tenancy Branch, requesting for the repairs to be made, cash to cowl the inconvenience or each.
The B.C. authorities mentioned it’s committing as much as $15.6 million over the following three years to enhance providers and cut back delays on the Residential Tenancy Branch, hiring as much as 50 new employees, and doubling the scale of the compliance and enforcement unit.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
