Houston failing renters, dozens remain without power in Halifax building

HALIFAX – On Monday, NDP MLA for Halifax Citadel-Sable Island Lisa Lachance will host a meal for tenants of The Scotian who have been without power for nearly two weeks.

Renters have been left at the mercy of corporate landlords by the Houston government. Despite repeated calls from the NDP, this government has consistently failed to protect renters with a residential tenancies enforcement unit, an end to the fixed-term lease loophole, and real rent control for Nova Scotians.

“I’ve been hearing from tenants all weekend about how overwhelmed and frustrated they are,” said Lachance. “Unacceptable situations like this are happening to renters because the government refuses to protect renters. If the premier wanted to, he could close the fixed-term lease loophole and immediately create a rental tenancies enforcement branch so no one else finds themselves living through this ordeal. Renters need the government to have their backs. Where is the minister? Where is the premier? Where is the political will to fix this problem?”

Without stronger protections, renters have no power to force their landlords to act. Many of the tenants in the building are on fixed-term leases and are afraid of reprisal if they complain. The Nova Scotia NDP have been pushing the Houston government to close the fixed-term lease loophole, create real rent control, and establish a residential tenancies enforcement unit.

“How long does Tim Houston expect people to live in the dark? This is unacceptable,” said Lachance. “Clearly, Nova Scotian renters don’t have the support they need. If a situation like this can go on for two weeks, that shows how precarious things are for renters right across the province. The housing crisis will continue to get worse, and renters will be put in harm’s way without real action from the Houston government.”

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