Send this page to someone via email

CALGARY- Despite living in their home for three years and always paying rent on time, an elderly couple is being forced out of their home—with no explanation.

The Doirons have lived in a building in Castleridge owned by the Fireside Property Group, paying $900 a month for a one bedroom apartment.

“They wouldn’t answer any questions, they just wanted the suite back,” says Melvin Doiron. “We’re used to it here. We have some friends here, it’s tough.”

Their daughter Cathy Vitale set out to find out why her parents were being asked to leave with just one month’s notice, and found it all comes down to the bottom line.

“I made a phone call and asked if there’s going to be any rental suites available on September 1st. And they said ‘yes, for $1,200’—and that’s the suite that my parents are being moved from,” she says.

Story continues below advertisement

According to legislation, a landlord doesn’t need to give notice or a reason, once a fixed term lease expires. The province says cases like this are becoming more common.

“[Renters] just automatically renew year after year after year, and they assume they’ll receive notice,” says Mike Berezowsky from Service Alberta. “Maybe this is something we’ll have to look at in the future.”

Experts say people displaced by the flood are also putting pressure on the rental market.

The Doirons have since found another apartment that will cost them $300 more per month than they’re currently paying.