Faced with serious mold and fungus problems and faced with the inaction of their landlord, tenants in Farnham, in the Eastern Townships, had to appeal to Public Health, which took over the file.
Mushrooms growing on the walls, a thick layer of mold and water under the floors: it is under these conditions that Joanie Lacroix must raise her five-year-old daughter.
“I worry regarding our health in the long run,” she admitted to TVA Nouvelles.
The same situation applies to Ginette Laramée, who moved in with a friend following seeing the state of her apartment two months ago. “I saw that the paint was curling next to the dryer. We opened the walls and there was mold everywhere. Since then, mushrooms have been growing in the hallway every week,” she lamented.
The Public Health Department of Estrie has been made aware of the situation over the past week. “Our responsibility is to ensure that the situation is taken care of by the designated authorities, namely the owners and the municipality, and to support them. Steps with the tenants and the municipality were immediately taken,” said Public Health.
“In connection with the risks to the health of tenants, there are some and they are modulated according to the quantity of mold found in a place and the duration of exposure to it. We are mainly talking regarding the risk of respiratory problems, but also irritants. According to the first steps, the public health department might assess the risks for the tenants of this building, ”she added.
At the end of their patience, the tenants turned to the Administrative Housing Tribunal. “You have to file a request that it go before a judge who will order that repairs be made. In the meantime, we live in it. It’s discouraging,” said Joanie Lacroix.
Asked by TVA Nouvelles, the owner of the building, Guy Poulin, said that the delay in the work is due to the fact that he has not found anyone to do it. However, he admits not having looked outside of Farnham. “I’m going to do this today,” he assured.