Charlottetown tenants told their units to be sold as condos, most to be given ‘appropriate notice to vacate’

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CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Tenants at 4 Charlottetown condo buildings have been knowledgeable their residences might be bought as condominiums, and that after this occurs, they are going to be “given the suitable discover to vacate.”

The 4 condo buildings on Waterview Heights Lane had been bought from CAPREIT Residences in Could by a numbered firm, 102997 P.E.I. Inc. in June, residents obtained a discover stating their constructing had been transformed to condominiums. The discover inspired them to purchase their models.

Among the models have thus far been listed on-line for $269,900.

Just lately, residents obtained one other two-page discover from Ian Walker, a realtor and one of many administrators of 102997 P.E.I. Inc.

“We’re at the moment promoting the models which might be or turn out to be vacant, nonetheless, all models are going to be bought over time aside from the models occupied by residents with well being limitations. I’ve spoken to a few of these residents,” Walker wrote on the discover, which was supplied to SaltWire. 

“Ought to a purchaser have an curiosity in a selected condominium, the present resident might be given the suitable discover to vacate.” 

P.E.I. tenancy legislation

The province’s present tenancy legislation states tenants whose models are bought as condominiums will be evicted “if the purchaser in good religion requires possession of the rental unit.” 

The legislation requires tenants to be given correct discover and a sworn affidavit confirming the acquisition.  

If the purchaser requires the unit for themselves, the tenant have to be given two months to vacate. If the purchaser requires the unit for his or her partner, baby, guardian, dependent or caregiver, the discover interval is 4 months. 

Walker additionally stated that if a purchaser chooses to hire the brand new condominium unit, residents won’t be requested to go away. He estimated the sale of all models might take 18 or extra months. 

Walker additionally provided to assist Waterview Heights tenants to seek out “appropriate models so that you can transfer into.” He famous that two models can be found to hire at one other CAPREIT-owned constructing in Winsloe and that he would notify tenants every month of different vacant models that come up in Charlottetown. 

The 4 buildings collectively have a mixed 60 models, though some are unoccupied.  

Three of the 4 buildings bought

Three have been bought, in accordance with Walker’s letter. Two had been unoccupied whereas the third was occupied by a resident. Walker stated a suggestion to purchase that unit was “utterly surprising” and that this resident was provided different housing however “has made different preparations on their very own.” 

“I do admire that this can be a troublesome time for you as a tenant. It has additionally been a troublesome time for property homeowners who’ve been pressured to make some troublesome selections within the wake of presidency laws,” Walker stated. 

Walker stated he has tried to curiosity the P.E.I. authorities in buying the models however has been advised the province doesn’t plan to purchase the models “right now.” 

The conversion of occupied rental models to condominiums is a rarity in P.E.I. Some tenants have spoken out publicly, stating that they can’t afford to buy a house and expressing frustration with restricted communication from the brand new property proprietor.  

Others have expressed concern in regards to the lack of reasonably priced rental housing out there in Charlottetown, a metropolis with a emptiness price of lower than one per cent. 

On July 12, when requested in regards to the state of affairs at Waterview Heights, P.E.I. Housing Minister Rob Lantz advised SaltWire he had spoken to one of many new homeowners of the buildings, who advised him he meant to “solely promote models as they turn out to be vacant.”  

Lantz additionally stated the proprietor has advised him some long-term senior residents can “keep so long as they want.” 

Within the discover to tenants, Walker took problem with SaltWire’s reporting, claiming Lantz’s remarks had been taken out of context. 

Walker stated Lantz’s feedback had been solely referring to residents with “well being limitations that might impede them from transitioning to a different constructing.”  

“I’ve indicated to those people that they won’t have to go away their residence. These would be the final models to be bought on the property after the residents depart of their very own accord,” Walker wrote. 

Stu Neatby is a political reporter with SaltWire in Prince Edward Island. He will be reached by electronic mail at [email protected] and adopted on Twitter @stu_neatby.