Borough and public health officials are planning a six-week investigation following reports of slum-like conditions in a complex of apartment buildings in St. Leonard.
There are 336 apartment units at Domaine Residence, a cluster of 21 buildings at Viau and Robert Blvds.
"We'll put together the environmental situation and the health situation and make the appropriate recommendations," said Norman King of the Montreal Public Health Department.
Mario Duchesne, who oversees housing in the borough, says the owners have been fined about $500,000 over the years for 600 infractions of various kinds.
"For St. Leonard it's an extreme situation," he said.
During exploratory visits, authorities found problems outside 12 of the 21 buildings.
They are particularly concerned about mould and water infiltration that can cause respiratory and other health problems.
If any risks are detected during the course of the investigation, tenants could be moved out temporarily.
"Our preoccupation here is to make sure that someone's health is not affected by the living conditions and to the extent that it requires immediate action, that immediate action will be taken while waiting for the living conditions to be improved," King said.
Tenants have complained about poor heating, lack of repairs, rats, cockroaches and bed bugs.
Hamid Houari told CTV Montreal's Herb Luft that his young son has had to get medical treatment for bug bites.
"He's scratching all the time and he even has problems at school," Houari said.
Eunice Flores told Luft the management recently began repairs to the building, but she can't stand to live there any more.
"We're leaving," she said.
