Waterloo residents fight to stop pricey renovations at townhome complex

People living at a Waterloo townhouse complex tell CTV’s Heather Senoran why they are fighting against a major project that would cost them more than $30K

People living at a Waterloo townhome complex are fighting against pricey renovations they said they don’t need.

Residents at the Westgate Towne Home Complex were told the windows and doors in every unit needed to be replaced. Despite their objections, they say building management is forcing them to go through with the work.

“The options we have been given is pay a $32,000 lump sum each or [they] are increasing condo fees another $200 a month to cover the cost of this, which is [for] a condo loan that they will take out on our behalf,” homeowner Chris Dedman explained.

For some people living in the 85-unit complex, it’s an expense that is simply too much too bear, especially considering homeowners were also asked to pay for a major sewer replacement project four years ago.

“Over the span of two years, it was a total of $59,000 that each unit had to either pay directly out of their pocket or pay a 20-year condo loan,” Dedman said.

Many residents said they’re still trying to pay off that last loan for the sewage work. They worry if the windows and doors are done too, their condo fees will be unsustainable.

“That’s going to bump it up to $1,000,” Kris Lamb, another homeowner, said. “I don’t have $32,000 laying around.”

Dedman and Lamb said all of their windows and doors are in great working condition and residents were not consulted before the property management company announced the plan to replace the fixtures.

“There [were] no meetings to discuss any of this. Contracts were already signed, deposits have been made [and] are moving forward with this, without any consultation,” Dedman said.

Alice Yang owns one of the units at the complex and rents it out. She helped put together a petition that has been signed by approximately 70 per cent of owners.

“When I shared the situation with my coworkers and friends, their first reaction is, ‘Something’s fishy here, Alice. We smell something,’” Yang recalled.

Another resident said it isn’t just about money.

“It’s about people’s lives unraveling,” said homeowner Botan Khani. “Students are facing rent hikes or renovictions, families are drowning in debt, and retirees are suffering panic attacks and strokes from the stress. The betrayal and secrecy have shattered trust, leaving many feeling trapped in homes they can’t afford and can’t sell.”

Dedman said he was trying to sell his home but decided to take it off the market due to the renovations.

He doesn’t know what will happen when he tries to sell it again.“I’m either staying here and paying huge, high fees or reduce the price of my unit to some price that I paid for it five years ago and walk away with nothing.”

Property Management responds

Weigel Property Management said it will not comment specifically on the issue, but said staff do fully appreciate the feelings of townhome owners.

“To say that owners are angry, mistrusting and financially strained is a simple statement that does not cover the level of emotions swirling around,” a spokesperson for Weigel said in a statement, in part.

Decisions are made in part by the condo board, which is made up of unit owners.

Staff said there are several upcoming townhall meetings where the concerns of residents will be discussed.

“[Condo board members] pay the same bills and, at the upcoming townhalls, we will continue to work towards the best way forward financially both for the short and long-term of this community,” Weigel said.

The group speaking out about the renovation project said they hope to dismantle the current condo board and vote in a new one.

“I believe that the management company is basically bullying the condo board, who are, for the most part elderly, retired, people that maybe they don’t quite have the wherewithal anymore to kind of disseminate the B.S. from reality,” said Lamb.