City cracks down on crowded rental

A Centretown building will not be able to rent out two illegally constructed units because it would make the building’s condition even worse, according to a report released by the city.

“The number of existing units has already contributed to the substandard condition of the site," says the report by the city's committee of adjustment.

Dung Nguyen, the landlord, says he purchased the building at 72 Cambridge St. N. two years ago and converted its convenience store into apartments.

After complaints from residents about the building’s dismal condition and the behaviour of its tenants, the city stepped in. Nguyen  says he was forced to evict two tenants to comply with zoning bylaws in April.

Despite the eviction, tenants have continued to complain about a lack of space, loitering and garbage, says Eric Darwin, president of Dalhousie Community Association.

The city rejected Nguyen’s request to re-lease the apartments after the adjustment committee received a letter from the community.

The building had been operating as a rooming house by housing seven residents when it was only permitted to house four, according to zoning bylaws.

Nguyen says the building is not a rooming house and tenants had individual apartments. He says he will re-apply to increase the number of allowed apartments.

Darwin says the goal of the community association was not to necessarily have people evicted from their homes, but to create a better living environment for residents and the community.

Complaints about the building have been ongoing for about a year and Darwin says he has grown weary of trying to improve things.

The committee has held a number of meetings with the landlord to discuss the management of the building so that it adheres to safety regulations and vets its tenants properly.

Regular visits from a superintendent have also been arranged, Nguyen says.

He says the superintendent lives next door to the apartment which will help him monitor the apartment better.

The building sits on the corner of Primrose and Cambridge streets.