Free parking to now cost $200 per month as Webster St. apartment ‘renoviction’ saga continues
There is a new chapter in the “renoviction” saga at Webster Street apartments in London, Ont.
The landlord is increasing their parking rate.
“Right now, parking is included with your rent,” said Mary Karlinski, a tenant at 1270 Webster St. “They're suggesting you get assigned parking and we'll pay $200 a month to park your where you live. If you want to go underground, it’s $300 a month, which is 10 times more than what it was to park underground".
Karlinski and others at 1270 and 1280 Webster St. received the notice Friday, May 26, 2023.
She said it states she did not register her vehicle with the office, and she is not permitted a spot with her lease agreement. She has until the end of the month to pay the new fees, or be tagged and/or towed.
CTV News reached out to the number listed on the parking letter handed to tenants. A man did answer the phone saying “Webster Apartments”, but told CTV “no one would be available to speak about the parking increase until Monday.”
A letter was sent to tenants at 1270 and 1280 Webster St. apartments in London, Ont. stating they will now have to pay either $200 or $300 per month to park at the building (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
The notice arrived on the same day that Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and London MPPs held a rally at the apartment complex, looking to stop renovictions.
“There is nothing stopping Prime Minster [Justin] Trudeau from putting this in right now,” said Singh. “The acquisition fund would support buildings like this remaining in public hands, or remaining in municipality hands or in a not-for-profit organization that wants to keep the rents low or even lower than further, that's something we can do right away. We'll be putting pressure on that to happen.”
ACORN London – a group who advocates for low-income tenants - said this parking notice is just another common tactic in renovictions to make staying more challenging for tenants.
‘They are being bullies,” said tenant Julie Gallagher. “They are harassing us, constantly sending us white letters to our door. Every time you open the door there is a letter. Park here, remove your car, it’s craziness.”
Tenants currently pay $240 per year to park underground at Webster Street apartments in London, Ont. A letter said it will soon cost $300 per month (Brent Lale/CTV News London
Karlinski said this latest notice is giving her anxiety. She hopes someone in government provides aid.
“Well they're [government officials] trying to find affordable housing,” said Karlinski. “Well, let's have people that have affordable housing, why add them to the mix? They're going to be looking for affordable housing which they already had.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.