Neighbors fed up with problem house in Chilliwack

Neighbors of a problem house in Chilliwack are fed up with what’s been happening there, and were protesting today outside the house at the corner of First Ave and Broadway. Ivan Couto lives next door and says he and his wife have been dealing with issues there for years, and the man who owns the property lives in Vancouver.

“And we’re tired of his nine and a half years of historical problems with this home.  He also owns the adjoining home, and we’ve had major problems…everything from home invasions to drugs, to tenants who aren’t clean….we’ve simply had it.”

He was adamant that the city of Chilliwack has taken steps to address the complaints.  There have been 28 complaints to the city alone since 2007, mostly regarding weeds, unsightly premises and animal control, which the owner has brought into compliance after being contacted by bylaw enforcement.  Couto says though, perhaps the bylaws need to be more stringent.
Acting Mayor Sue Attrill says that may eventually come to pass, but for now, they do the best they can to deal with these landlords under the bylaws they have.

“The landlord needs to take some responsibility for his tenants, clearly.  We do tell them that they should be doing criminal record checks.  If they are an absentee landlord, they should be working with a property management company to make sure that everything is good if they’re not prepared to be there themselves.  But certainly, they should be checking in.”

She says the city is very aware of this property, and people should call police immediately if they suspect any illegal activity is going on there.

RCMP say they have thoroughly investigated every complaint they have received about the house. Corporal Mike Rail says his understanding is that the house in question is vacant, and says eviction does not fall under the mandate of the RCMP.