June 22nd, 2012
Who Received an Eviction Notice?
Sue Collard is chair of the Whalley/City Centre chapter of controversial low-income advocacy group ACORN Canada. Collard was a former building manager at Kwantlen Park Manor and is now a tenant there.
Why is this Newsworthy?
It’s getting media attention because of who the landlord is and the timing of the eviction notice.
Who is the Landlord?
The landlord is Gurdyal Signh Sahota and his company called “Waterford Developments.”
In March, the BC Residential Tenancy Branch gave a $115,000 administrative penalty — the first of this type of penalty — against the owner Gurdyal Singh Sahota and his company Waterford Developments.
The May 15 deadline passed last month, and Sahota hasn’t been paid and the roof hasn’t been fixed.
On May 31, Collard and three other tenants occupying front-facing second-floor suites received letters ordering them to move out by July 31 because the landlord needed to do necessary repairs.
The Landlord has Begun to Do Repairs. What’s the Issue?
Because Collard is very angry. She states:
“Despite the number of large headlines that the province is taking action against scofflaw landlords, well, they’re still scoffing.”
Collard continues:
“Despite the number of large headlines that the province is taking action against scofflaw landlords, well, they’re still scoffing.”
Collard also says:
“I am now left wondering about the complete and utter grotesque absurdity of the entire process.”
“They have not paid the fine, not done the work, now they are issuing notices and so far, the only thing the province is doing is ‘negotiating,’” she said.
What Does the “Fine” have to Do with Evicting To Fix Things?
A spokeswoman for the housing ministry said no one at the Residential Tenancy Branch was available to be interviewed.
“The Residential Tenancy Branch is still in discussions with the landlord,” said an emailed statement from the BC ministry. “We can’t comment on the specifics while negotiations are underway.”
Payment of the penalty is “on hold” while an agreement is negotiated, the email said.
What is Collard Doing Now?
Collard is disputing the eviction notice and has a hearing scheduled Thursday.
Isn’t this Kind of Like “Extortion?” Using the ‘Fine’ to try to Take Control and Avoid Evictions?
Many people agree with you. Let’s see what happens.
