There are more complaints about living conditions at Valleyview Tower II in North Battleford, and this time the issue is heading to a residential tenancies hearing.
The News-Optimist has learned a claim has been filed with the Office of Residential Tenancies against Battlefords Housing Authority by a tenant at Valleyview Towers II over living conditions at the housing complex.
The claim filed by Les Turner is for $30,000 alleging pain, suffering, aggravation, mental anguish and loss of quality of life. According to the document, it is claimed that Battlefords Housing Authority breached its residential tenancy agreement due to second-hand smoke in the building.
Turner’s claim alleges that last summer, the Housing Authority “decided to locate the ‘designated smoking area’ immediately below the window where the air intake was for my air conditioner. The window was less than 3 m directly above the smokers. When I ran my air conditioner my suite filled with secondhand smoke to the point I could not breathe.”
Turner alleges he voiced his concerns to management “no less than a dozen times.” “All my complaints fell on deaf ears. Housing management told me if I didn’t like it, I should make an application to move. They told me since it was my idea to move, I would have to pay a $200 moving fee.”
Ultimately, Turner was given the option to move to a new suite in the same building without paying the transfer fee.
But he alleges that during the winter the smoke situation “got completely out of hand” and that the second hand smoke smell has gotten worse throughout the building.
According to an accompanying letter from a doctor from Sask. Health Authority, Turner suffers from respiratory failure and requires home oxygen, and should not be exposed to second hand smoke or inhaled irritants.
In speaking to the News-Optimist, Turner further alleges that smoking is a widespread issue at the building.
“They’ve got no smoking signs all over this building and everybody smokes in their apartments,” he said.
Another issue for the claimant is that Valleyview Towers II is the only venue with a storage unit for his scooter, making it difficult to move out.
Valleyview Towers have been the subject of complaints and a letter-writing campaign over the past couple of years, with reports of disorderly conduct, damage, frequent visits by police to respond to incidents, and other issues at the venue.
At a city council meeting in February, Battlefords Housing Authority general manager Denis Lavertu acknowledged some of those challenges but also cited efforts to improve security at the buildings. He also told council they have responded swiftly to complaints.
The date of the residential tenancies hearing has not yet been officially confirmed, but it is expected to happen in Saskatoon within the next month. The claim was expected to be served upon Battlefords Housing Authority this week.
