Sherbrook Inn tenant, owner reach agreement amid eviction battle

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Peggy

One tenant facing eviction from the Sherbrook Inn has won a little more time before he has to leave.

The Manitoba Residential Tenancies Commission held a hearing on the eviction order on Monday.

Neil Soorsma, the owner of the hotel in Winnipeg’s West Broadway neighbourhood, says about seven people have received notices of eviction proceedings. The evictions are due to unpaid rent and damage to the hotel, he told reporters after the hearing.

The eviction proceedings come three months after Soorsma bought the hotel. At the time, Soorsma told CBC News he had no plans to kick out anyone living in the hotel, but now he says some residents have not paid rent in months.

“I’m not social housing,” Soorsma said. “I’m not getting government grants. I’m not a non-profit that qualifies for government grants. I’m just some guy that’s had property in the area since 1991 and I’m just doing my thing.”

At the hearing on Monday, the tenant told the commission he and other residents in the building had an agreement with the previous owners to work in the hotel in exchange for cash and rent.

Soorsma sent a letter in July saying he would no longer accept work in exchange for rent after Aug. 1, but the tenant says Soorsma still owed him money.

The commission was set to decide the matter, but instead Soorsma agreed to let the tenant stay until the end of October.

Soorsma also agreed to pay the tenant $1,000 to settle outstanding wages.

“I just felt sorry for him and he was always nice to me. He’s a good kid,” Soorsma said.

The tenant declined a request for an interview with CBC News.

The West Broadway Community Organization issued a news release on Friday saying eight tenants had been evicted, and three others had received notices of eviction.

Soorsma disputed those numbers, saying just two tenants have left, and a third is about to be evicted. He is still in discussions with the others who have received notices.

There are currently 21 people living in the 33-room hotel, he said.

WATCH | Sherbrook Inn tenant facing eviction gets temporary reprieve:

Sherbrook Inn tenant facing eviction gets temporary reprieve

2 hours ago

Duration 1:10

Manitoba’s Residential Tenancies Commission heard the case on Monday of one of seven tenants facing eviction from the Sherbrook Inn in Winnipeg. The tenants received eviction notices several months after a new owner took over the building.