Residents Oppose Higher Rent To Cover Elevator Repairs

A landlord in New Westminster, Canada, has proposed increasing apartment rent to help pay for a recently completed modernization of the complex’s four elevators, but some of the residents are angry about the new fees and complain that the elevator repairs had been neglected for years, the New Westminster Record reports. The total cost of the project, according to a notice issued to renters, was a little more than CAD1 million (US$800,000). An extra increase on the 161 units’ rent is being sought on top of an annual hike, a move being met with complaints. “The owners knew at least 10 to 15 years ago that the elevators needed replacing,” one tenant said. “They waited until they had no choice, including multiple people trapped.” A proceeding for tenants is planned for May 2022, but provincial rules may give renters no choice but to pay the increases. Some have complained that they cannot afford the higher rent and that it’s unfair to have to pay for what they say was the landlord’s failure to maintain the elevators.