Housing for $325 a month: A retiree fights to avoid eviction

Amid the housing crisis, a Quebec man is fighting not to move after being pressured to leave in 17 days.

Pierre Turbide, 64, is retired from the construction industry but says he now lives on last-ditch financial assistance.

He has lived in the basement half of a triplex in Chemin du Foulon, Quebec, for eight years.

“It's an old neighborhood. Houses used to be worth nothing here, but now, everybody wants to come here,” he says, noting the renaissance the neighborhood has experienced with the development of promenade Samuel-de-Champlain.

Norm

Mr. Turbid pays $325 a month for a bedroom, a small living room and a bathroom. The shelter had no kitchen and ceilings no higher than six feet. But the occupant feels better there.

“It's not a dump. In a housing crisis, what can I find? I can't afford to pay $1000 a month, a fool in my pocket!

The owner of the building – Mr. who lived in an inn just above the Turbid – rented him his lodgings. The woman is now 94 years old and her children want to take over her real estate assets.

Ineligible

“We're not Harold and Maude, but we get on well and she feels safe with me in the house. She signed a contract with me saying she couldn't kick me out,” says Mr Turbid.

However, the latter did not have the document in his possession and had nothing to do with the girl. He says the woman's children prevent him from seeing her.

“The problem is that, according to them, the owner's children will be taking over the management of the building thanks to an incapacity order. They are trying in different ways to get Mr. Turbid to leave,” explains François-David Bernier, Mr. Turbid's lawyer.

Law

On October 14, one of the owner's children, Mr. Turbid was asked to vacate the shelter by the 31st, which the resident refused.

“This is very wrong and against the law,” said M^e Bernier.

“There are only two ways to get rid of Mr. Turbid. It can be acquisition to a family member or acquisition from new owners and sale of the building”, notes M.^e Bernier.

In addition, he adds, a period of six months is required, far from the prescribed 17 days.

“There is no such thing as rent-free. The rule of staying in the premises always applies,” insists the lawyer.

severe

“Increasingly, the TAL (Administrative Housing Tribunal) imposes bans on domestic offenders. We have seen results where the eviction was awarded over $30,000.

And the lawyer cautions those who want to rent to a family member to evict a tenant.

“The evicted person can verify and investigate whether the reason for acquisition is genuine,” he says. Illegal repossession can cause damage to the owner.

mental stress

Due to ill health, Mr. Turbid now has to use the cane.

The situation he is in makes him very insecure. “I can't believe this is happening in Quebec in 2024,” says the man, who says his home won't be able to make the necessary repairs.

The family asked Newspaper To contact their lawyer, M^e Jocelyn Wallerand. The latter confirmed that the family had obtained a protection order allowing them to take care of their mother's affairs. On the other hand, Mr. He did not know the contents of the Turbid related file.