Tenants at London highrise frustrated by frequent pest problems and water disruptions

Tenants of a highrise apartment complex in London's east end say their physical and mental health have significantly declined because they often have to deal with pest infestations and go days without water.

Some residents at 700 King St. and 400 Lyle St. told CBC News they don't feel safe or comfortable in their homes, which they say are overrun by bed bugs and cockroaches, and are frustrated because it seems like the building's managers don't seem to be taking any action.

"It's like living at a campsite with an outhouse," said Lynn Dufour, who has lived in a one-bedroom unit at 700 King St since May.

"I'm almost OCD [obsessive-compulsive disorder] with the cleaning because I don't want the roaches back. It's affected my mental health and I've been trying hard to keep my sanity here."

The biggest concern for tenants has been the ongoing water service interruptions, including earlier this week, Dufour said. The latest water woes led city bylaw officers to slap the owners of the building with orders to fix up 700 King because it violated portions of Ontario's building code.  

This isn't the first time the company has had problems. In 2021, a toddler fell from a balcony at 400 Lyle and died. The company was ordered to repair all balconies because they didn't meet property standards.  

Medallion Corporation, a privately owned Toronto-based company that manages both buildings, has refused to speak to CBC News. Through a spokesperson on Wednesday, the company said water interruptions were due to vandalism from fires that occurred at 700 King on March 4 and have since been resolved.

When asked about the tenants' other complaints, Medallion declined to comment, saying those were internal matters. 

Other tenants with similar woes on Facebook page

Dufour said she had COVID-19 last month and had no hot water. With high fevers, the 57-year-old felt too weak to boil water, she said. 

"It's shooting our electricity bills higher because we have to heat a lot of water. For the amount of rent they charge, one would think that things would be a lot better here," she said, adding she pays $1,175 per month for her unit.

One resident shared photos of her bed bug bites with the tenants' Facebook group, which is frequently the site of similar complaints. Tenants say they've received no solutions from management. 

"They tell us 'It's being looked into,' but looking into it doesn't help us, the issues need to be solved," Dufour said.

Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson, whose ward the buildings fall under, joined the Facebook group after being alerted of the situation by several tenants. Stevenson's emailed city staff the concerns tenants have expressed, and plans to reach out to Medallion on Thursday, she said. 

'No one's happy anymore'

It's a similar situation next door at 400 Lyle, which also has problems with its HVAC system leaving units without heating or air conditioning when the seasons change.

Tracy Mallow and Andrew Haines have lived on the 18th floor since 2019. They say that while their monthly rent has increased to about $1,400, the building's maintenance has decreased.

The couple, who both work retail jobs, say they can't afford to move elsewhere because rent and inflation are just too high. The tenants are all exhausted from dealing with these problems, they said

"You go in the hallways, talk to people and no one's happy anymore," Mallow said. "All the conversations are 'What's wrong with your unit today?' It's no longer pleasantries."

Deep cleaning the apartment after work has become an unavoidable ritual for the couple, Mallow said.

"When you have insects in your house, you program your brain to think about preventing all the time," Haines added. "I shouldn't have to think about getting cockroaches if I leave the cat food out on the ground for a little too long, no one should have to live that way."

They believe the HVAC problems have caused Haines to develop a lung condition, which he didn't have prior to moving in. He said he often wakes up with nose bleeds and dryness. 

"We're obviously not physically or mentally well because of what the building has done to us, and it's killing us to keep paying more and getting less," Mallow said.