Residents living in a Sunnydale neighbourhood townhouse complex in northern Waterloo say they are exhausted and losing hope as ongoing maintenance issues, mould, and water damage concerns remain unresolved despite dozens of city orders and fines against their landlords. The City of Waterloo confirmed it currently has more than 70 active investigations into properties along Sunnydale Place — 35 involving units owned by Sunnydale Holdings Limited and 36 involving units owned by Spicecart. Over the past year, municipal enforcement officers have issued more than 50 charges to the two corporate landlords for non-compliance with municipal work orders. “Some of the primary things we saw were leaks, mould, and just properties not being very well maintained inside and outside,” said Grant Curlew, manager of licensing and standards with Municipal Enforcement Services for the City of Waterloo. Sarah Robert-Smith has lived in a unit owned by Sunnydale Holdings for six years with her husband and three children. She said she’s reaching her breaking point, “We live with mold. Currently, we don’t have a properly working stove or sink, and it’s been like that for over a year,” Robert-Smith said, adding that her family is forced to wash their hands in the bathtub due to the broken sink. With winter approaching, Robert-Smith fears water seeping into her home will cause further structural damage and health hazards. “We still have a leak in my son’s window, and it’s gotten to the point where you can smell it,” Robert-Smith said. “We’ve had our ceilings almost collapse due to the water damage. And when they do come down, you can see the mould.” She said the current enforcement system isn’t doing enough. “There’s no real consequences to that,” Robert-Smith said. “They get pushed an order, it expires, and then they just put another order out and there’s nothing actually done.” City officials acknowledge that while some maintenance work has been completed by the landlords, it falls far short of bringing the properties up to minimum standards. Bylaw officers conducted their most recent round of inspections two weeks ago and said additional charges are expected. In addition to maintenance struggles, tenant advocates point to financial pressure on residents. The Eviction Prevention Team at the Social Development Centre Waterloo Region notes that Sunnydale Holdings successfully applied for an above-guideline rent increase, leaving several tenants with significant rent arrears and facing eviction notices. “Everybody living there has a right to live in an environment that is safe and comfortable,” said Meagan Snyder of the Social Development Centre Waterloo Region. “Right now, there’s a lot of desperation and hopelessness in the Sunnydale community, and many tenants are burnt out from the never-ending fight for dignity.” The city said it is currently assisting 19 tenants through a newly appointed tenant support liaison and has helped rehouse five families from the area. Sunnydale Holdings Limited declined to comment on the allegations. In a statement, Spicecart denied that its properties are unsafe but said that it is working with the city to resolve any infractions. “We categorically deny any allegation that the premises or units are unsafe for residents. Such claims are unfounded,” a spokesperson for Spicecart told CTV News. “We take our responsibilities as property manager seriously and remain committed to maintaining our property to a high standard.” City inspectors said they plan to return every few months for re-inspections and will continue escalating fines until full compliance is met.
