If you rent an apartment in New Brunswick, you expect a safe living environment. For one Saint John man, a new lease turned into a costly nightmare.

New Brunswick Housing Minister David Hickey says the provincial tenancy system and a local landlord both failed Abdulbari Alhallak after he discovered a massive mould infestation in his new apartment. According to a report from CBC News, Alhallak signed a lease in May but quickly encountered severe health hazards.

A Shocking Discovery

While cleaning the unit before moving in, Alhallak experienced headaches and breathing problems. He suffers from asthma and allergies. He checked above a drop ceiling and found a significant amount of black growth.

“I discovered it was completely, completely full,” Alhallak told CBC News. “It is not even a small patch here and there. It is covered.”

Bureaucratic Roadblocks

Alhallak contacted the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office for help. Officials told him an investigation takes weeks. Hickey calls this delay unacceptable.

“The difficulty that that tenant had and all tenants have in navigating the system as it currently stands is too much and too often leads to situations like this,” Hickey said. “That is the first failure.”

The Landlord Response

Hickey points the second failure directly at the landlord, stating they need to fix unsafe apartments immediately. A Vancouver couple owns the building, and 3D Property Management handles local operations.

Matt Doherty, owner of 3D Property Management, did not investigate the mould claim. He argues the drop ceiling uses fire resistant drywall that seals the space and protects tenants. Doherty adds the city recently inspected and approved the unit. He claims Alhallak broke the lease without proper notice and did not give the company time to respond.

Financial Loss and Future Changes

Alhallak escaped the lease but lost his prepaid rent. Combined with moving expenses, he lost up to $4000 on an apartment he never occupied. The provincial office lacks the authority to order a refund in this situation.

Hickey promises to introduce a new Residential Tenancies Act this fall. He says the updated laws will speed up case resolutions and hold landlords accountable for unsafe living conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Abdulbari Alhallak leave his new apartment?

He found what he believed to be a severe mould infestation above the drop ceiling, which triggered his asthma and allergies.

Did the tenant get his money back?

No. Alhallak lost up to $4000 in prepaid rent and moving costs because the provincial office cannot legally order a refund in this scenario.

How did the property management company respond?

3D Property Management stated the ceiling was sealed with fire resistant drywall and noted the city recently approved the unit. They claim the tenant left without giving them time to address the issue.

What is the New Brunswick government doing about this?

Housing Minister David Hickey plans to introduce a new Residential Tenancies Act this fall to resolve tenant and landlord disputes faster.