Tenants forced out of building for serious health hazards, Montreal suing landlord

The City of Montreal is suing a landlord after an apartment building in Lachine was evacuated due to serious health and safety hazards.

A residential building in Montreal’s Lachine borough has been evacuated due to serious health and safety concerns.

Nearly 30 residents on Ivan-Franko Street were forced to leave their homes Thursday night as the Montreal fire department deemed the 47-unit building a fire risk.

Tenants are now staying in a nearby hotel.

“This building has a million problems,” said tenant Rashid Gizitdinov.

The building has not had hot water and heat for months.

“We go to the gym to take a shower,” he added.

City officials cited several major hazards inside the building, including bad wiring, wet floors, and the presence of mould.

According to Lachine’s borough mayor, Maja Vodanovic, the situation was too dangerous to allow tenants to return.

“There are too many things to fix and too much danger for the city,” she said. “We can’t just fix the heating system and put them back. It was not human, it doesn’t work.”

Tenants have expressed frustrations as they say it is difficult to get a response from the landlord.

“When you call, no one picks up,” said Folake Ayedun, another tenant.

The city is currently working with the municipal housing office (OMHM) to help displaced residents find new homes.

“Once you are in an evacuation situation, you have priority,” said Vodanovic.

Vodanovic says the City of Montreal will taking legal action against the landlord.

The tenants are expected to meet with Vodanovic on Monday to discuss the next steps.

CTV News reached out to the landlord and building manager for comment but did not receive a response.