Still fighting eviction, 2 Hamilton tenants feel unsafe after recent break-ins

A late-night rock through the window, an unknown person pounding on the door and someone ransacking an apartment are a few of the problems two Hamilton tenants say they are dealing with. And that's just this month.

Jennifer McGrath and Rick MacMillan are the last two renters in an otherwise gutted low-rise building in the city's Durand neighbourhood.

As CBC Hamilton reported in December, their landlord wants them out, but they've been fighting to stay amid maintenance issues including leaks, broken windows and a long-term lack of heat. Both say they have lived in the building for about 25 years. 

At the Duke Street apartments, windows are boarded up. Canada Post stopped delivering mail in August, and the foyer is filled with graffiti, including the phrase: "Don't rent here."

Workers gutted all the other units, removing doors, drywall and flooring. The building's dank halls and entrance way are dirty, and the mailboxes appear broken. 

The heat to the building has been restored, but now, tenants say they don't feel safe in their homes after a string of unsettling incidents. 

"We're at a loss here," MacMillan said. "I don't know what to expect next when I come home at night. … I walk into a black building and I have no idea what to expect or who is going to attack us throughout the night."

WATCH | Tenants call for action after disturbing incidents at apartment building

The landlord, 20 DS Inc., gave renters an N13 notice in July, the tenants say. CBC Hamilton obtained a copy of the notice. The notice declares a property owner wants to end a tenancy to demolish, repair, or convert a rental unit to another use. This practice is often called renoviction. 

For this and the December article, CBC Hamilton requested an interview with the building's property manager, and sent them details of tenants' concerns and allegations. They did not respond. CBC also attempted to reach the landlord through contact information listed at their Oakville office, but did not receive a response. 

Earlier this month — before the break-ins and vandalism  — the tenants went to that office and asked to speak with the person they believe owns the building. They were unable to speak with anyone. 

When they returned, the tenants say, McGrath's door was broken down. The next day, MacMillan went to visit family and when he returned, his apartment was ransacked and some belongings stolen. 

WATCH | In December, McGrath and MacMillan described what it's like to live in their building 

On March 9, the tenants say, someone pounded on McGrath's door and released a fire extinguisher in the hallway.