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A cease occupancy order remains on the doors of 225 East avenue north after the city deemed their home unlivable. The 6 tenants living inside and paying rent, were forced to leave in a matter of hours.

City officials arrived at the building Wednesday morning for an inspection at the request of one it’s tenants, Kevin Van Amburg. But what Kevin didn’t know at the time, that in addition to mulitple code violations the building he was living in, is zoned industrial space, not residential.

He says his landlords are a couple named James and Maria Branigan. They sometimes go by the business name “Red Carpet Promotions” and are renting out multiple other buildings in the area. Calls to James and Maria went unanswered.

Ward 3 councillor Matthew Green says property owners converting industrial spaces without re-zoning first will face fines from the city.

“This is symptomatic of a greater housing crisis that we are facing in our community. Where prices are rising at a rate that people can’t keep up with, so it forces them into inadequate situations.” Matthew Green.

Renters concerned their building is not in compliance with zoning laws can find out more information at Service Ontario.