Properties damaged by neighbouring infill construction

CALGARY – Two recent structural collapses in Calgary have highlighted a problem involving infills under construction in our city.

Over the weekend, a Calgary couple returned to their West Hillhurst home to find their fence in the new basement hole next door and their air conditioner handing off the side of the house.

The discovery led to a shouting match with the backhoe company owner which brought police to the scene.

Just days earlier, a fence and retaining wall in Altadore collapsed at another infill under construction, stranding the neighbour who was unable to get into her suite.

Infills, or new homes built on older lots, are extremely popular in Calgary.

However, neighbouring homes risk property damages during construction.

Unfortunately, if damages occur, just whose responsible is a bit of a grey issue.

The city approves development permits for new construction to make sure they meet safety codes but says it’s not responsible for any damage occurring at the site.

“Your only option to get your money back? Civil action between the two parties,” says Cliff DeJong, City of Calgary.

Proposed new signs will give neighbours a better way to raise concerns before problems happen and will boost enforcement if something’s wrong.

“For us, if an owner or contractor is not taking complaints seriously and not addressing them and not returning calls, that for us means we need to get out in a coordinated approach and go to the site,” says DeJong.

The proposed practical guide for construction also educates builders, owners and neighbours about rules and ways to avoid problems.

The proposal goes to council for approval in September.

New infill owners can ultimately be held responsible for problems affecting the neighbours.

The city and occupational health and safety are still investigating the two fence collapses in Calgary to see if any charges are warranted.