Winnipeg landlord facing fines over mass apartment evictions

October 9, 2024 Canuck

A Winnipeg landlord is facing $9,000 in penalties following a mass eviction at a Winnipeg apartment block this summer.

According to a provincial spokesperson, the Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB) issued 32 orders in July to Kelly Vasas, the landlord of 285 College Ave., after dozens of residents were evicted in July.

During evictions, residents of the building came home to find their belongings strewn on the lawn and their locks changed without notice.

At the time, Manitoba Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith said evictions without due cause are illegal in Manitoba, as is disposing of a tenants’ belongings or changing the locks without due process.

She called the evictions unacceptable and said the province was outraged, adding an investigation had been initiated.

Since then, a provincial spokesperson confirmed, notices of penalties totalling $9,000 have been issued to Vasas.

The fines may be appealed to the Residential Tenancies Commission, the spokesperson said.

Garry Sinnock, the lawyer representing Vasas, confirmed his client was fined $9,000.

Vasas is appealing the fines, with a hearing set for the end of October.

Marion Willis, executive director of St. Boniface Street Links, said the decision will help protect tenants.

“The Manitoba government did take the situation to be a very serious one, enough to involve the RTB, to employ investigators,” she said. “I think that more important than the fine that’s been levied, is that I believe this is a situation that will be used to inform legislative changes to the RTB, and I think those changes are long overdue.”

Willis added the fines also set a precedent for other owners.

“It does send a very clear message out there, that these types of behaviours and actions will not be tolerated any longer,” she said.

With files from CTV’s Alexandra Holyk and Jeff Keele

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