In Montreal, journalist Louis-Philippe Messier travels mostly on the run, his desk in his backpack, on the lookout for fascinating subjects and people. He speaks to everyone and is interested in all walks of life in this urban chronicle.
To get rid of tenants who pay low rents and who cling to their lease, some landlords do not skimp on dubious, even illegal, means to evict them.
A building near my home was condemned by the City after a fire started by renovation work by an owner who was then trying to evict all his tenants.
Do such “opportune” accidents occur frequently?
With community organizer Mélanie Baril, of the Petite-Patrie Housing Committee, who has seen all the colors, I have drawn up a list of ten inglorious tactics of owners which have been observed by her organization over the years to “ disgust” the tenants.
Very important: if you are or believe you are the victim of one of the heinous tactics listed here, quickly contact a tenant defense organization to examine all your appeals, depending on the circumstances, and for a file to be opened to record all these abuses.
This building near my home, rue Sainte-Catherine Est, whose owner was trying to evict all his tenants, was padlocked by the City after being damaged by flames and water from fire hoses following a ‘a fire… which gave me the idea for this column.
Photo Louis-Philippe Messier
1 – The opportune accident
Some aspirants renovictors have bad luck during work. “Oops! I damaged a pipe and several homes are flooded. Oops! I cut the wrong wire and the building was without power in the middle of winter for several days,” says M.me Barrel.
2 – Complicate the payment of rent
Some suddenly require payment through an online platform to residents who are often elderly and without smartphones or computers. “Even if people have cash or a check, the owner doesn’t want to know anything… and then he opens eviction files for non-payment of rent at the Administrative Housing Tribunal (TAL).” Make sure you have the rent money, if it goes before the TAL, and present your lease which allows payment in cash or by check.
3 – Multiduplicate a housing repossession
“A landlord used the pretext of housing his father to try to take over 27 different homes. Many accepted this request which seemed legitimate. If some refused, the owner opened a file with the TAL, repeating that he had the right to accommodate his father… which was true, but not in as many accommodations. If you have any doubts, talk to your neighbors to see if they too have received the same advice.
4 – Screaming at asbestos!
More than half of Montreal’s buildings contain asbestos and, if it is not removed, it poses no danger. “Some new owners arrive with the alarming news that following the inspection of the building, they discovered asbestos, that it will require work and that by staying, its tenants are compromising their health and that of their family. When the tenant leaves, we leave the asbestos in place, we repaint the walls and we rent again at a higher price.”
5 – Remove the lock
Some homeowners neglect to repair the front door to create an unlivable environment. When the building no longer locks, it becomes a “refuge”. “Itinerant people protect themselves there from the cold, drug sellers and users settle there.”
Someone wrote “No Work Works” on this sign in a building on rue Chambord, near Père-Marquette park… where you enter like a mill!
Photo Louis-Philippe Messier
A woman was sitting with her bags on the floor of the vestibule of a building, rue Papineau, whose front door no longer locks.
Photo Louis-Philippe Messier
6 – Driller the roof
To quickly get their stubborn tenants to leave and secure a demolition permit, some owners damage the roof so that the water deteriorates the building. “We saw owners drill their roof, make holes in it; it’s effective, no nonsense for 20 years!”, comments Mme Barrel.
7 – Play Big Brother
The owner of an apartment building near the Jean-Talon market seems to spend his life monitoring his tenants with dozens of security cameras. “He intimidates the delivery men and the Videotron guys. He calls a tenant to quibble with him for not turning off the laundry light or shaking his boots enough when entering. If they refuse a raise or if they demand an extermination of mice, he harasses them with comments. People leave so they don’t go crazy.”
8 – Only respond to bailiffs
An uncontactable landlord discourages dissatisfied tenants from trying to obtain repairs by refusing registered mail. “He says: you want to speak to me, do it through a bailiff… which is expensive! People give up.”
9 – Rent apartments already occupied
A landlord targets refugees and makes them sign attractive leases… for housing that is already occupied! He pockets the first month’s payment. “Its existing tenants therefore see people knocking on their doors with the intention of moving in, lease in hand… Tired, the tenants leave. It creates a turnover which allows rents to increase.”
10 – Avocate
Intimidating guys knock on tenants’ doors to tell them they have to leave and to make them sign papers agreeing to do so. “These people often present themselves as lawyers… but they may not be lawyers. The goal is to intimidate.” Do not sign before speaking to a tenant support organization.
Mélanie Baril, from the Petite-Patrie Housing Committee, has seen all the colors from owners who are as imaginative as they are unscrupulous.
Photo Louis-Philippe Messier