Some tenants at a pair of Lethbridge apartment buildings that are owned by the same landlord are voicing their frustration because they say nothing is being done about serious hygiene and safety issues in their buildings.
Juanita Myers-Sears says he has has been living with some unexpected neighbours since signing her lease at Resma Manor last January.
On top of that, Myers-Sears says used needles are turning up in the hallway and bedbugs throughout the building.
“It’s one nightmare after another living here,” she said.
“Its been going on for five weeks now,” said Linda Phillips, who lives in the Palm Road Apartments which is owned by the same landlord. She said she hasn’t had consistent heat for over a month.
WATCH: It’s every renter’s nightmare: signing a lease only to discover the home you’re moving into isn’t what you thought it was. Avenue Living residents in Lethbridge are reporting used needles in hallways, bedbugs and living without heat. Elaine Van Rootselaar has reaction from building management.
They’ve both reached out to their landlord, Avenue Living.
Phillips says she’s given up on calling them “because it’s a calling centre and they won’t call you back.”
“They tell us to call the call centre,” Myers-Sears said. “The call centre just says, ‘Sorry, sorry, sorry. Oh, that shouldn’t happen, we’re so sorry.’
‘OK, well, so what? Your sorry means nothing.'”
The women say they’ve also approached police, public health inspectors, and the Landlord and Tenant Advisory Board to no avail. Since they’ve signed leases through early 2018, they say they don’t have many options and have been advised not to break the lease, even though they aren’t pleased with their living conditions.
“A lot of people are intimidated about the leases,” Phillips said.
When Global News contacted Avenue Living for response to their tenants’ concerns, they said any tenant with concerns should call them.
“Avenue Living is committed to providing affordable, safe, and socially-responsible housing options for residents of the cities and towns in which we operate,” Avenue Living said. “Our call centre is fully staffed with customer experience representatives, who are available seven days a week to answer and address any and all tenant concerns. We also employ after-hours emergency contact personnel, who are trained to respond to urgent calls affecting residents at our properties outside of business hours.
“As well, our work order team, working hand-in-hand with our field maintenance and cleaning crews, ensures consistent and thorough resolution to any issues that have been brought to our attention. We encourage any tenants to contact us if they experience any issues with their homes or the properties in which they live.”
Avenue Living shows 14 Lethbridge apartments on their website and rental accommodations in seven centres across Alberta.