Tenants at 507 Balmoral Drive in Brampton continued to face maintenance problems in late December after concerns about heating, hot water and building conditions were raised at city council, The Pointer reported.
A December 27 visit by the publication found a damaged entrance door, a broken window letting cold air into the building and some heaters out of service. The property manager says repairs have been made or arranged, while a resident says numerous complaints remain unresolved.
Councillor Pat Fortini visited the apartment building on December 10 and subsequently questioned Kyle Hulme, chief operating officer of owner Pulis/Lankin Investments, at council. Fortini described heating failures, a broken elevator, water leaks, mould and apartments without hot water, including units occupied by seniors and people with disabilities.
Fortini also challenged the availability of on-site supervision. Hulme said the building had a superintendent, though not on a full-time basis, as well as a community manager and property manager.
Hulme told council the company had spent $450,000 on repairs and maintenance since acquiring the property in 2022. He said it would address outstanding problems and accommodate tenants.
During its December 27 visit, The Pointer also observed peeling paint, dirty floors and air vents, overflowing dumpsters and an unlocked management office containing accessible tenant files.
Resident Cheryl Craig showed the publication a file bearing her name that contained personal, contact and employment information, along with her husband’s personal and banking details.
“I don’t feel very good at all. I have my personal information accessible to anybody who walks into that office,” Craig told The Pointer.
Craig said the elevator was functioning again, but other repairs remained outstanding. She also described delays in receiving callbacks after leaving messages for property management.
In an email to The Pointer, Drake Property Management executive vice-president Hero Mohtadi said a contractor had repaired the elevator and it had operated since November 28. He said no heating or hot-water complaints had been received following the council meeting.
Mohtadi said staff conduct daily walkthroughs, with a mobile superintendent and managers visiting according to operational needs during weekday business hours. The broken window had been temporarily boarded, and a replacement ordered. His response did not address the unlocked office.
The owner plans to demolish the existing building and replace it with three apartment buildings. City staff are reviewing the development application.
Brampton is also considering a tenant-protection bylaw that could provide return rights and comparable rents for tenants displaced by renovations. Despite a staff recommendation for approval in November, council deferred the proposal without setting a date for reconsideration.
