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A property owner in Winnipeg is sounding the alarm about unexpected repair costs for a rental property after discovering that the city does not cover certain sewer repairs.
Lise Musso has expressed concern based on her experience, stating, “We want to raise awareness because many businesses and individuals we have talked to were completely unaware that if you do not personally reside at the property, you bear the responsibility for repairs.”
Musso and her husband, Paul Lussier, have owned a house on Provencher Avenue for over two decades. They have been renting out the house’s two suites for the last 17 years. On February 28th, one of their tenants reported a sewer backup in the basement, prompting the couple to reach out to the City of Winnipeg and obtain quotes from local contractors. They discovered that a sewer pipe connecting their property to the city’s main line was broken, and repairs would cost approximately $40,000. The couple initially assumed this expense would be covered by the city, given that the pipe is located beneath municipal land.
“The break was located 33 feet from our sewer line, almost directly underneath Provencher Road,” Musso explained.
Musso noted that contractors had to close sections of Provencher Boulevard and excavate in two locations—one on the road and another on their property—to fix the issue. The City of Winnipeg’s website indicates that property owners are responsible for the upkeep and repairs of their sewer lines. However, if a blockage occurs under city property, between the property line and the City’s sewer main, the city may cover the repair costs—but only if the owner actually lives at the residence.
In Musso and Lussier’s situation, the financial responsibility fell squarely on them.
“We were taken aback,” Musso remarked. “We pay property taxes just like our neighbors.” She added that they also had to cover the cost of a hotel for one of their tenants during the three nights the water service was shut off while repairs were underway.
Ross Eadie, the Chair of the Water and Waste Committee, acknowledged the challenges while emphasizing that sewer repairs fall under the landlord’s obligations. “As a landlord, you’re effectively running a business,” he stated. “You should be setting rents that allow you to maintain the property and manage infrastructure that supports tenants living there.”
Eadie further noted, “There are no grants available for businesses like grocery stores if their sewer systems fail; the same principle should apply to landlords.”
Musso pointed out that they strive to keep rental prices affordable for their tenants, many of whom come from lower-income backgrounds. A significant rent increase to cover repair costs could potentially displace them, she maintained, stating, “We’re not turning a profit from this rental property.”
In light of their experience, Musso aims to inform other property owners about similar responsibilities, particularly regarding potentially hefty repair bills. “Not many people realize that if you don’t live at the property, you are financially liable for sewer repairs, regardless of where the issue is located,” she concluded.
Source
globalnews.ca