Vancouver Island homeowners say renter used house to sell dogs, caused $30K damage
Comox Valley landlords are searching for a former renter – along with some answers.
The homeowners say when their tenant moved out they found their property had been trashed, and even used to house and sell dozens of large dogs.
The owner of the property, Leanne Jones, says she gets emotional when she sees the condition her home was left in.
“It’s a beautiful property and to just have somebody come in and be able to just abuse it and then just waltz right out is just ridiculous,” she said Tuesday.
The rural Courtenay property was only rented for five and a half months, but the damage is estimated at around $30,000.
“This is over the top," she said. "It’s not like, 'Oops I forgot to clean behind the stove,' right?”
According to Jones, the renters had more than 30 dogs in the house. One of those dogs allegedly chewed through a heat pump.
When a contractor came to fix it, he called the owner saying something no homeowner wants to hear: "Oh my God. You should see your house."
As Jones and her husband Shane Murdoch investigated further, the couple found posts online showing the property was being used to house and sell Belgian Malinois, herding dogs similar to German shepherds.
Attempts to get access to their home were deflected with COVID-19 protocols, and the locks were changed. The couple then tried going through the rental tenancy branch.
“They literally did nothing,” says Murdoch. “We repeatedly phoned them."
CTV News contacted the former tenant for comment. She says none of the allegations made by the homeowners are true.
B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon says he empathizes with the family and the difficulties they are having as landlords.
He says the branch is adding resources to strengthen the ability to respond to cases like this.
The ministry says it is doubling the size of its compliance and enforcement unit, and has so far hired 80 per cent of the positions promised by the minister in December.
“They should have field operators," said Murdoch. "A problem can be solved in 10 minutes, yet you’ve got to go through a month’s process."
Jones says she now knows why people leave their homes empty, risking the government’s vacancy tax.
“This place can sit empty and I’ll pay a ridiculous amount for my insurance because it’s empty before I’ll rent it again.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi still missing after helicopter accident in mountains
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.
Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'
Sean 'Diddy' Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was 'truly sorry' and his actions were 'inexcusable.'