2 cities, 2 buildings and 1 fugitive landlord leaves tenants in unlivable conditions

A notorious fugitive accused of orchestrating a grandparent scam has left tenants in two southwestern Ontario cities in a state of disarray. Gareth West, 45, who owns two apartment buildings in London and St. Thomas, has been evading authorities since a U.S. arrest warrant was issued for him in February. The warrant stems from allegations that West operated a scam call center in Montreal, defrauding American seniors of over $21 million US.

With West missing in action, tenants at his buildings have been left to deal with a myriad of maintenance issues without anyone to turn to for help. Audrey Knight, a resident at 14 Holland Street in St. Thomas, expressed the frustration of not being able to reach West for months. The building has been plagued by sporadic power and water outages, garbage accumulation, and the need for significant repairs. Despite residents keeping up with their rent payments, the hydro bills have gone unpaid, resulting in a temporary power cut and garbage piling up since April.

Wendy Nichols, a long-time tenant at 14 Holland Street, highlighted the stress of living in uncertainty, not knowing if basic utilities will be available from one day to the next. Some residents have taken it upon themselves to handle lawn care, cleaning, and garbage collection in the absence of their landlord. Efforts to make rent payments have been fraught with challenges, with some deposits not being accepted and residents unsure of the status of their payments.

The situation is no better at West’s property on 308 Egerton Street in London, where tenants have been without hot water for over a week. Despite their efforts to fix the water heater, they have been informed that they may need to cover the costs out of pocket, which is unaffordable for most. The building is also suffering from uncollected garbage, leaving residents overwhelmed and frustrated.

City officials in London and St. Thomas have issued property standards orders and are prepared to enforce the Residential Tenancies Act to address the situation. Tenants fear that the next step could involve the bank seizing the properties and putting them up for sale again. West, who branded himself as a real estate builder and health enthusiast on social media, faces wire fraud charges in the U.S. If convicted, he could face up to 40 years in jail.

The plight of the tenants at West’s properties underscores the challenges faced by renters when landlords fail to fulfill their responsibilities. The residents, who are now forced to take on maintenance tasks they didn’t sign up for, are calling for a resolution to the ongoing crisis. As they navigate the uncertainty of their living conditions, they are hopeful that authorities will intervene to ensure their rights are protected and their needs are met.