Some Quebec landlords frustrated at having to clean disaster apartments post moving day
A week after Quebec's moving day, landlord Manuela Destro was not expecting a major cleanup after her tenant moved out.
"He left everything for my husband and I to do," she said.
The couple owns a triplex in Ville-Emard, and Destro said she gave her tenant six months' notice so that her son could move in.
Destro said the tenant agreed to leave.
"He took his clothes and his cat, but he left a full fridge of food, [and] he left all the appliances in there," she said. "Paint cans, bed with the sheets still on it, comforter."
Now, Destro will spend the better part of two weeks sifting through the apartment.
"We called around to places, and it's between you're looking at $700-$1000 to have somebody remove everything for you," she said.
Quebec's landlord association says this is a common story.
"A third of the units we get back on July 1st are left in a state that cannot be used immediately, that need deep cleaning," said Quebec Landlord Association CEO Martin Messier.
He said for this and other reasons, a security deposit is an answer, which is not something landlords can charge in Quebec.
"We think that is the incentive that is missing to make sure that, just like in a hotel room, you leave the place in a good condition when you leave," said Messier
Tenants rights group RCLALQ says there are responsibilities when tenants move out.
"Of course, there are anecdotes of tenants who leave the apartment in bad shape or leave their stuff, but we also have on our side thousands of anecdotes of landlords pushing tenants, putting pressure on tenants," said Cedric Dussault of the RCLALQ.
Dussault would like to see major changes to Quebec's rental rules as well, like a rent registry.
"This is a tool that can be used in order to control the rents, and this is a tool that could be especially useful when there is a change of tenant," he said.
Destro said she's taking the issue to the housing tribunal to try to recoup any losses.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.