N.B. government opens investigation into Fredericton rent increases

A New Brunswick government investigator visited a Fredericton apartment building at the centre of a rent increase controversy Wednesday, and the province promised action if it finds fault with the way tenants there are being treated by a new landlord. 

The dramatic move may help show whether current New Brunswick rental rules are as useful to tenants in a crisis, as government insists, or too weak to help, as critics suspect.

"The Deputy Chief Residential Tenancies Officer visited the apartment building today to meet with the tenants referenced in your story," wrote Service New Brunswick's director of communications Jennifer Vienneau.

"They were pleased to be offered assistance and departmental officials will investigate this matter.  There are protections in place for tenants that are facing unreasonable rent increases."

Earlier in the day, CBC News reported a number of tenants in a building at 36 Shore Street had received rent increase notices from a new landlord of between 40 and 67 per cent 

Included in that group were Pauline and Charles Tramble, who received notice of a $675 per month increase in their rent starting in April.   The two, who are 67 and 84 years old respectively. have lived in the building for 33 years.  

They can't afford to pay that much more, but have no idea where else they might go.

"We were devastated," said Pauline, "This is home to us.'

The seven unit building was bought and sold twice this fall by different investors.  The current owner is DNV Properties Inc.  It sent out rent increase notices two weeks ago but has not returned messages to explain why the increases are so high.

Other tenants receiving significant rate hikes include 83 year old Tayfun Orkus.  He has lived there 14 years and was told to expect to pay 55 per cent ($475) more each month. 

He too says it is more than he can afford.

"I cannot live here anymore because it is too expensive," he said.

The story triggered a strong reaction among housing advocates, who point to it as proof New Brunswick needs some kind of rent control to protect vulnerable tenants and limit excessive rent increases.

"It's devastating. It's shocking. It's enraging and it just really speaks to some massive failures," said Julia Woodhall-Melnik, about the treatment of the Trambles and others in their building.