Tenants set to swelter after NDG building bans A/C, blocks balconies for repairs
Some tenants in Montreal's Notre-Dame-de-Grace neighbourhood are bracing for a sweltering summer.
Their building on Monkland Avenue is not allowing them to turn on air conditioning because of repairs to their balconies. The repair work is expected to last all summer.
The owners, GWL Realty, sent out a letter in May, telling residents: 'It is important that the air conditioning units not be operated and possibly for the duration of the project to ensure the safety of the workers.'
The letter also stated that if they are used, residents could be charged for any possible damage.
Not only is the air conditioner off limits but balcony doors have been bolted shut, too.
"It's inhumane, to be honest, because they're shutting down the air conditioning unit and they're restricting the capacity in which you can open windows," said tenant Lisa Chretien.
Chretien managed to get a portable air conditioner on Monday, which may be against the building's rules, but she said it's to keep her and her dogs cool.
At an eighth-floor unit with no cooling CTV visited, the temperature in the afternoon reached 27 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.
A thermometer shows the apartment reached 27 degrees Celsius (CTV News)
The building's owners told CTV News, "We understand these restrictions may cause some inconvenience and discomfort, especially during the summer season. To mitigate the impact, we have provided an air-conditioned space in the building, available 24/7, with free internet access."
According to tenants' rights advocate Arnold Bennett, tenants could fight for a rent reduction, but air conditioning rules are still a grey zone.
"The rules for air conditioning are not as clear. There was a tendency to regard air conditioning as more of a luxury in this climate. It's not a luxury anymore, it's a health issue," said Bennett.
Tenant Raul Rodriguez said without A/C, his apartment is like an oven.
"Well, you feel like you're in boiling water, something like that. You feel like a [poached] egg," he said.
He and his wife Jenny Duno Rodriguez decided to turn their unit on anyway, as she is currently undergoing treatment for brain cancer. She said she can't live in the heat and is struggling with the stress.
"Now I'm going to have another treatment of chemotherapy. And I feel overwhelmed about this situation, to be honest," she said.
She said with a housing crisis, she doesn't have the heart or the energy to move.
Jenny Duno Rodriguez is undergoing cancer therapy and said the situation is causing her stress (CTV News)Work on the balconies is only expected to be completed in September. Residents are now considering a class action lawsuit.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6977430.1721929538!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
Multiple homes, businesses 'lost' to wildfire in Jasper National Park: Parks Canada
Officials from Parks Canada and Jasper say "multiple structures, including a number of businesses and homes, in and around the town of Jasper, have been lost" to wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have been destroyed in a wildfire.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
'Skibidi Toilet:' If you don't know what it is, you will
'Skibidi Toilet' is already an internet sensation and now its about to get even more exposure after the YouTube series is being developed for TV and film, according to a report by Variety.
NASA says no return date yet for astronauts and Boeing capsule at space station
Already more than a month late getting back, two NASA astronauts will remain at the International Space Station until engineers finish working on problems plaguing their Boeing capsule, officials said Thursday.
French sprinter will wear a cap during Olympic opening ceremony after hijab dispute is resolved
French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla will be allowed to participate in the opening ceremony at the Paris Olympics wearing a cap to cover her hair, an agreement reached with the French Olympic Committee after Sylla said she was barred because of her hijab.