Tenants were removed from a residential building on Battell Court in Cobourg on Wednesday and the property will remain vacant until it’s brought into compliance and deemed safe by town officials to re-occupy.

On Monday, Municipal Law Enforcement, with permission from the property owner, conducted an inspection of the building, which uncovered numerous Property Standards and health and safety concerns.

Wednesday, the second multi-agency inspection was completed. In consideration of ongoing concerns for the maintenance and unsafe conditions existing at the premises, a Property Standards Order was issued to address immediate deficiencies related to the Town’s prescribed property standards for occupancy. 

In addition to inadequate conditions involving ventilation, lighting, plumbing, heating, and electrical services it was determined due to safety reasons, that the building be secured to prevent occupancy until the deficiencies are corrected.

A multi-agency inspection of the property had previously taken place in August to evaluate fire and municipal by-law concerns. As a result of this inspection, the Cobourg Fire Department issued an Electrical Inspection Order and Immediate Threat to Life notice under section 15 of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act. Cobourg Fire assisted the property owner to remedy the Immediate Threat to Life notice by installing fire alarms within the building. 

A release states the Town has been providing further recommendations to the property owner to bring the building into compliance, but the owner has been non-responsive and to date, no remediation efforts have been made to this property and an increase of violations to property standards and health and safety have been witnessed.

"The Town Council supports and cares for the safety and well-being of all its residents,” Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland stated. “Safety concerns are taken seriously and approached collaboratively with local emergency services and partner agencies to provide the best outcome for those impacted. Staff have been working with the owner to remedy the condition of this property. Unfortunately, we have witnessed increased violations regarding property standards so the Town must step in to protect the health and safety of the tenants.”

The Town of Cobourg, in partnership with Northumberland County Social Services, Cobourg Fire Department, Cobourg Police Service and the Cobourg Police Service HARP team, worked collaboratively with the property owner and occupants to ensure the understanding and compliance with the terms and conditions of the Order. 

Through coordination with the property owner, tenants have been removed from the property for their own health and safety. All agencies continue to work with the owner to bring the building into compliance, to make it safe for residents to re-occupy.