Pauline Tramble’s 85-year-old husband Charles has dementia. Every day since June, “three, four, five times a day”, he has had to explain that they are being fired.
Tramble says her main concern is whether her husband will be able to adapt to a new environment, after 33 years in their second-floor unit on Shore Street in Fredericton.
“Some places have elevators and long corridors. He would be very confused. That’s what really bothers me. He knows his directions. [here], he goes for a walk. So it’s an ideal situation for us.
It’s the latest chapter in rental woes for the couple, who faced a 67% increase to his rent last December. This story prompted the government of New Brunswick strengthen tenant protectionsand set a one-year rental limit.
The Trambles were relieved to see a rent cap. But in June everything changed when the eviction notice arrived.
“I just feel lost,” the 67-year-old said through tears. “We’re very uncertain where we’re going to go.”
From “courtesy letter” to “notice of termination”
On June 13, DNV Properties Inc. sent the Trambles a “courtesy letter” informing them that they should start looking for somewhere else to live, because their unit was being converted to a short-term rental.
But on June 30, the Trambles received a new letter. It was a provincial “Notice of Termination to Tenant”. It stated that “the owner or his immediate family intends to live on the premises,” and gave the Trambles until Sept. 30 to vacate the unit.
The reason provided is one of four exceptions that would allow a landlord to terminate a tenancy in New Brunswick.
The Trambles will have to leave their second-floor unit in Fredericton this fall. (Jeanne Armstrong/CBC)
Pauline Tramble said she was devastated by the letter, but also confused by its reasoning, because there are currently vacant units in the building.
“The apartment across the street is available. It’s supposed to be an Airbnb. And our neighbor’s apartment will be available… Why would they decide to come live in this apartment?”
When Tramble tried to call her owner, Neda Veselinovic, to ask more about the layoff, she was turned away.
“I tried to contact her when she left our lease, so I wanted to call her and ask her, why, you know? And she saw my number come up and she said she couldn’t answer at that time . was busy, and said that from now on, all our communications will be via email.”
Pauline has to say goodbye to her home after receiving an eviction notice in June. (Jeanne Armstrong/CBC)
In a later email, Veselinovic told Tramble “we understand that it’s hard for you to find a place to live, but we’ve tried to explain to you numerous times that we have to continue with our plan … the changes we’re making are absolutely necessary to save our investment. Please understand that this is not personal.”
Requests for comment by CBC News by email and by phone were not immediately responded to by DNV Properties Inc.
Court ‘actively reviewing this case’
Pauline said she is anxious to hear about the Residential Tenancies Tribunal.
In a statement to CBC, Service New Brunswick Minister Mary Wilson said the court is “actively reviewing this case that was filed in early July.”
“If the reason is because the landlord or an immediate family member moves into the unit, supporting evidence will be required and the Residential Tenancies Tribunal will follow up within two months to ensure that the landlord has followed the change”.
Morning Briefing – Fredericton13:57Rental Cap Pressure
A few weeks past the rent limit and some cracks are showing. We ask New Brunswick Service Minister Mary Wilson why the legislation includes provisions to prevent it.
In an interview with Information Morning Fredericton in June, Wilson, who refers to the tribunal as the RTT, said the province’s Residential Tenancies Act provides protection against retaliatory rent increases or terminations.
“Is [this] a retaliatory change? Are they acting in good faith or not? So at the end of the day, the RTT can deny, delay or confirm the termination,” he said.
Pauline said the court’s decision will dictate whether they can stay or go. The court has yet to make a decision on the case, but a residential lettings officer sent an update to Pauline Tramble late last week.
The officer sent the Trambles two digital brochures. One was titled “Housing and Homelessness” and included a list of phone numbers for shelters, outreach workers and the Department of Social Development.
The other digital flyer was titled “Food and Meal Resources” and listed contact information for food banks, churches and other charities.
The emails didn’t give Pauline much hope.
“I am very anxious and afraid.”