Elderly Montreal Woman Battles for Air Conditioning Rights Ahead of Summer
83-year-old tenant fighting for air conditioning for nearly a year
Image: Ctv News
Eighty-three-year-old Phyllis Lazar from Montreal is fighting to restore air conditioning in her apartment after it stopped working last June. Despite her rent traditionally including this amenity, she has been forced to seek alternative living arrangements during hot weather. With summer approaching, Lazar's case highlights the growing need for air conditioning in Quebec's humid climate.
- 01Phyllis Lazar has lived in her Montreal apartment for 20 years, with air conditioning included in her rent until last year.
- 02She filed a complaint with the housing tribunal to restore her air conditioning rights.
- 03Arnold Bennett, director of the Housing Hotline, supports Lazar's case, stating she has a strong chance of winning.
- 04The building owner, Gestion Zagora, has not responded to requests for comment regarding the situation.
- 05Bennett emphasizes that air conditioning is essential for health, particularly for seniors during hot summers.
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Phyllis Lazar, an 83-year-old resident of Montreal, is facing another summer without air conditioning in her apartment, which she has rented for 20 years. Last June, her air conditioning unit stopped working, forcing her to seek refuge in her sons' homes and friends' places during the heat. Lazar has since opened a case with the housing tribunal to restore her air conditioning rights, arguing that it was included in her rent. Arnold Bennett, director of the Housing Hotline, believes she has a strong case, stating that if an amenity is removed from a lease, the landlord may be required to reduce the rent. The building owner, Gestion Zagora, has not responded to media inquiries about the issue. With summer approaching and temperatures already reaching the high 20s Celsius (around 84 degrees Fahrenheit), Lazar is concerned about her living conditions. Bennett stresses the importance of air conditioning for health, particularly for vulnerable populations like seniors, highlighting that it is as essential as heating in Quebec's climate.
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This situation highlights the need for adequate housing conditions, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly.
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