A former resident of a property in Kensington, P.E.I., has come forward with allegations of mistreatment by her landlord. Kyra Barlow claims she received harassing text messages round-the-clock and that her landlord violated entry notice requirements and barred her from accessing her unit.
Barlow, residing at 72 Andrews Dr. in Kensington, adjacent to Summerside, described a series of escalating inappropriate behaviors by her landlord, Steve Bernard, who owns the property featuring three buildings, with two rented out and one occupied by Bernard himself.
According to Barlow, Bernard suggested she relocate to another building on the premises, but upon inspection, she deemed it unsuitable for her and her child. She chose to remain in her original unit, which strained her relationship with Bernard. Barlow highlighted issues within her rented unit, such as a leaking heat pump and septic system problems.
Following a request for an environmental assessment that revealed septic system inadequacies, Barlow claimed Bernard failed to rectify the issues despite warnings that the property could be deemed uninhabitable if left unresolved.
Documents submitted to IRAC by Bernard alleged that Barlow tampered with the septic system, rendering his cabin unrentable. An eviction notice citing unpaid rent and habitual late payments was issued to Barlow in August. However, she contested the eviction and other grievances with IRAC, citing breach of contract and infringement on her property enjoyment rights.
Barlow expressed feeling unsafe due to harassing text messages from Bernard, which included racially motivated remarks targeting her Indigenous identity. She further disclosed instances of utility bill disputes and a concerning text implying possible intrusion into her residence, prompting her to vacate the unit abruptly.
Upon her return to gather belongings, Barlow encountered resistance from Bernard, leading to police involvement and Bernard’s subsequent arrest. Barlow has since relocated to a new residence, withdrawing her IRAC application regarding the eviction but pursuing other complaints against Bernard.
Barlow’s IRAC application requests a tenancy agreement review, assessment of her right to quiet enjoyment, and restitution of a security deposit. A hearing is scheduled for November 20, with Bernard declining to comment on the ongoing dispute citing confidentiality and criminal charges.
The P.E.I. Fight for Affordable Housing acknowledged underreported cases of landlord violations, emphasizing challenges faced by tenants in a competitive housing market. Cory Pater, a volunteer with the organization, highlighted tenant reluctance to report issues, fearing repercussions that could impact future housing opportunities.
