City tries to find owner of collapsed building
That building on Park Avenue north of Bernard that began to collapse in March still hasn’t been dealt with. The city can’t locate the owner. Residents of the building next door are still unable to return home, but somehow, the city is not able to act directly until the owner is served a notice.
Ian 09:00 on 2025-05-07 Permalink
I dn’t understand why this is still an issue, unless there is a regulation about time elapsed somewhere …
From the city website:
“If the owner fails to take action
If the owner cannot be found, or if he or she refuses, neglects to or is unable to carry out the work required to eliminate a danger after receiving a notice to do so, the city reserves the right to:
take the measures required by the situation concerning the building in question, at the owner’s expense
carry out the necessary work at the expense of the owner, the tenant or the occupant
fence off a property that poses a danger
The costs incurred by the city constitute a senior debt on the building in question. These costs are also guaranteed under the legal mortgage on the building.”
https://montreal.ca/en/topics/dwelling-inspection-corrective-action-and-evacuation
Joey 10:41 on 2025-05-07 Permalink
This is a gem of the use of the conditional tense: “The borough says it will have to consult with its legal department if it’s unable to serve the owners with the demolition notice.”
Ephraim 11:28 on 2025-05-07 Permalink
Meanwhile, how do they collect the city taxes? Doesn’t someone have to get the bill and pay it?
Ian 11:32 on 2025-05-07 Permalink
Kind of surprising they. don’t have the right of seizure under force majeure, as a hazard to the public.
dhomas 11:57 on 2025-05-07 Permalink
@Ian: Chapter III, Section II, Article 52 here seems to answer your question:
https://www.legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/fr/document/lc/C-11.4/20120615
The city should be able to take action within 24 hours. So, they should already be taking action, not sure why they haven’t yet.