Hamilton landlord backs off $20-a-load laundry

What goes up must come down. The law of gravity seems to apply to $20-a-load laundry at an east Hamilton apartment building.

Late last week, tenants at 285 Melvin Ave. expressed their ire over the $10 per wash and $10 per dry rates in the basement laundry room.

But as of Monday afternoon, the digital displays on the machines were back to normal: $2.75 per wash and $2 per dry.

I think we put them to shame a little bit," said longtime tenant Linda Marrello.

Faced with the exorbitant cost, tenants in the nine-storey building told The Spectator they'd have to take their clothes to a coin laundry instead.

But Marrello said that's not possible for older residents with mobility issues.

I'm very happy for the simple reason that there's a lot of senior people that can't get out and they need to have the facilities here."

That includes her 89-year-old mother. She likes to do her own laundry," said Marrello, a member of Hamilton Tenants in Unity. That was taken away from her."

Marrello said she received a text from the superintendent telling her the rates were back to what they were. No explanation was offered.

But she and other tenants say the laundry hike falls in line with the landlord's ongoing effort to move them out.

Family Properties issued tenants in roughly 60 units notices to vacate for renovations by the end of March. Some have taken cash buyouts.

But about 40 have stayed. They dread trying to find a place in Hamilton's soaring market, where the rates are twice as much.

In April, an average one bedroom went for $1,405, according to Rentals.ca

Family Properties wants to remove walls between kitchens and living rooms to make the units open concept.

The property manager has told tenants the renovations, which also include electrical and plumbing work, are expected to take seven to 10 months.

In 2019, 285 Melvin Apartments Limited bought the building for $6.84 million from the previous longtime owner.

Michael Klein, who's listed as president of 285 Melvin Apartments Limited on the sale documents, also leads the North York-based Family Properties.

Family Properties representatives haven't responded to The Spectator's repeated calls and emails for comment.

They haven't replied to Hamilton Tenants in Unity's request for a meeting to hash out the issues, either, said Mike Wood, chair of the advocacy group.

So far, they ignored that one," said Wood, who doesn't live at 285 Melvin but rents elsewhere in Hamilton.

Landlords can issue N13 notices to vacate properties for extensive renovations that require building permits and must be empty to do the work.

There's no rent control between tenancies in Ontario. Once units are vacant, landlords increase rents as high as they like for future residents.

Tenants at 285 Melvin were given until March 31 to leave.

If residents don't vacate their units, the landlord must apply for a hearing at the Landlord and Tenant Board within 30 days of the move-out date.

As of last week, no hearing had been set, said some tenants who called the provincial tribunal. That means Family Properties would have to start the N13 process over.

In addition to press interviews, Wood said, the tenants conducted a phone blast" to the landlord, demanding the rates return to normal. We've just got to keep pushing right to the end."

Marrello, who has lived at 285 Melvin Ave. for more than 28 years, agrees. This isn't going to be the end of it."

Teviah Moro is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: tmoro@thespec.com