(Submitted/Murray Norman)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Frustrated & Annoyed

P.A. man refusing to pay rent as last resort to get cockroach & false alarm issues dealt with

Dec 14, 2022 | 5:00 PM

A Prince Albert resident is refusing to pay his rent until his landlords fix the issues plaguing his apartment.

Murray Norman lives in the Carlton Parks Suites on 28^th Street E and for the past couple of months has been forced to deal with a cockroach infestation and people pulling fire alarms without an emergency.

He told paNOW that refusing to pay rent is his way of telling Weidner, who owns the building, he’s sick of these issues not being addressed.

“They’re total slumlords… they’re bullying (locals) into paying for a cockroach-infested place and threatening to throw residents out on the street.”

Cockroaches in Carlton Park Suites. (Submitted/Murray Norman)

Final numbers

Local RM results finalized

7h ago

Commitment

Hildebrand commits to Bemidji State in NCAA DI, first NCAA commitment in Raiders history

10h ago

Inflation

Rent inflation to slow in the next few years, Desjardins predicts

11h ago

Norman claims he’s collected more than 130 cockroaches over the past month. To Weidner’s defense, they have hired an exterminator, however, they aren’t having a lot of luck killing off the infestation. Norman and Ethan Peterson, who also lives in the Carlton Parks Suites, both claim they were finding cockroaches even after their apartments were treated by an exterminator.

“I have some of the nicest specimens you’ve ever seen,” said Norman sarcastically. “They’re everywhere… I just killed one on my wall with my fist.”

Norman also stated he was told by an exterminator that the infestation in his apartment is not because of anything they’ve done, but is coming from a vacant room a few doors down.

Just as annoying as the cockroaches for the tenants have been the countless false alarms over the past couple of months.

According to the fire department, they’ve responded to four false alarms at Carlton Parks Suites over the first 12 days of December. They also had to vent out one of the buildings after someone had set off bear spray.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous,” said Norman.

He noted his apartment has cameras, but they’ve done little to stop the person or persons from pulling the alarm.

“There are cameras, but I’m sure they don’t work.”

The fire department isn’t capable of investigating each false alarm to try and figure out who’s doing it. P.A.’s city council is also aware of the situation and has plans to speak with Weidner about how they’ll start being fined if nothing is done to stop it.

paNOW has also reached out to Weidner on several occasions but have not gotten a response.

Meanwhile, Norman said he’s been left several notes on his door requiring him to pay his rent.

He’s refused to pay for the last two months, accounting for $1,720. He’s also fine with going to court if that’s what Weidner decides to do.

—

Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow