A Hearings Officer upheld a decision after a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer discovered a person living in a crawl space in Cobourg.
The AMPS (Administrative Monetary Penalty System) is a way for individuals to contest their Municipal by-law ticket given by the Town of Cobourg.
The Hearing Officer (Neha Chugh) heard from the bylaw officer at the hearing on July 25, 2024 at Victoria Hall.
Municipal Law Enforcement Officer Christian Young testified that on May 1, 2024 there was a fire incident at a Densmore Road residence.
Along with himself, Fire Prevention Officer, Jennifer Cooper and Chief Building Official Dave Hancock attended the residence for an inspection.
Young stated that during the course of the incident, fire crews were concerned regarding the living conditions.
While conducting the investigation in the basement, Young noticed a living area with kitchen appliances including a stove, microwave and sink.
Further investigation revealed a bedroom located in a crawlspace.
The entrance to the bedroom was approximately one-metre tall by one-metre wide.
“The bedroom area was a crawlspace approximately 3-4 feet tall and contained a bed and a dresser,” testified Young.
“This bedroom posed a serious risk to anyone living inside of it.”
The woman living in the basement provided Young with a rental agreement stating she was paying $1,600 a month for the basement living area.
The investigation also revealed that a second floor window was unable to open.
The owner of the unit was later served with a Property Standards order requiring:
1. Create or install a safe, continuous and unobstructed exit from all parts of the basement to the exterior of the property.
2. Remove all items incidental to and do not permit the regular habitational use from any area of the basement which does not meet requirements for egress. This includes the crawl space area which is being used for sleeping in the basement.
3. Repair the south facing second (2″*) floor bedroom window so that it is able to be closed and opened.
At that time of the inspection there were also no working smoke alarms.
The Hearing Officer upheld the findings of Young and the owner of the unit, Mahbub Haque was given a penalty of $350.00.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
