Several residents in a Winnipeg building located in the West Broadway neighborhood are claiming that their rights, safety, and privacy were breached due to unauthorized construction activities during the summer months. This situation led some tenants to vacate the premises. However, the new property owner asserts that the aging building requires essential upgrades and defends the management’s actions towards the tenants.
One former tenant, Mira Koop, who left her apartment in mid-October, expressed dissatisfaction with the way the changes were implemented. She emphasized that there are proper procedures to follow in such situations and criticized the disruptive methods employed by the new owner.
Koop’s grievances began after a change in ownership of the buildings at 640 and 644 Westminster Ave. in July. She returned from a trip to find her appliances replaced without prior notice and encountered internet issues. Subsequently, relentless renovations ensued in August and September, causing disturbances and inconveniences in her daily life.
Allegations made by Koop include construction work on fire exits, unsafe conditions, and space reduction in her unit. She highlighted the disturbances caused by constant noise from surrounding renovation activities and unauthorized entries by contractors without adequate notice.
Other tenants echoed similar concerns, citing incidents of unannounced entries by workers and unfavorable lease terms proposed by the new landlord. The tenants reported a significant rent increase, exceeding the provincial guideline for the year 2025, leading to heightened dissatisfaction among residents.
The new property owner, Justin Beaulieu, acknowledged the necessity of upgrades due to the building’s age but denied claims of initiating work before officially acquiring the property. City records revealed a lack of approved construction permits for the property since 2000.
The contractor involved, Bosk Construction, clarified that they believed certain work did not require specific permits initially but later applied for them upon city inspection directives. The contractor emphasized the importance of adhering to regulations and ensuring proper communication with tenants.
Despite complaints raised by tenants to the management company, Chanden Homes, about the lack of response and service improvements, the challenges persisted. The tenants’ efforts to seek assistance from the Residential Tenancies Branch faced delays and limited intervention, leaving them feeling disregarded and unsupported.
Koop’s decision to move out was influenced by a notice suggesting abandonment of her unit, which was later confirmed as an error by the management company. Despite her departure, Koop hopes that shedding light on the situation will hold the responsible parties accountable and protect the remaining tenants from similar experiences.
The tenants emphasized that their primary concerns were not solely financial but revolved around the lack of communication and respect shown by the management. They expressed the need for better treatment and consideration of their rights and well-being in their living environment.