Bylaw fail sees no water or heat for Hamilton woman

Imagine not being able to turn on the heat or have hot water even though you’ve paid for it.

One Hamilton woman, Sandra Inglis says that’s what happened to her and her two kids because city bylaws intended to protect them aren’t being enforced.

The gas was cut off over three weeks ago to her apartment in a home on Carrick avenue. She’s lived there for almost two years and pays $900 rent, including utilities.

In June the hydro was cut off because the bill wasn’t paid. Under the vital services bylaw , the City of Hamilton then took over her rent and had the hydro re-connected.

Since then she’s paid her rent directly to the city.

Since the gas was cut off on August 20th she’s been getting the runaround.

“I contacted vital services multiple times, I have talked to a law enforcement officer, I have contacted Bob Morrow, I have contacted City Hall.”

The vital services bylaw is in place to protect tenants in this exact situation.

It says the landlord cannot shut off things like fuel and hydro in a rental unit except when necessary for change or repair.

The supplier, in this case the gas company cannot legally stop providing service unless it gives the city notice.

But Inglis is still without gas.

“They were telling me they would look into it and find the landlord and that they would send out an issue an order issuing the gas company to turn it back on and now they are telling me the gas company won’t comply.”

CHCH News found the landlord. He wouldn’t go on camera but said he has fallen on hard times recently and simply couldn’t pay the bills.

Numerous calls were made to the city. A representative said they would get back to CHCH News about the story.