Submitted by "Anonymous" on 11/16/2008

I also must add that these reports are true.
I briefly worked for the management company at the said address, and I personally handled the calls for one of the infested units. I was told by the landlord to tell the tenants that it is their sole responsibilty to deal with the problem, as it is something they must have brought in with them from elsewhere. As disgusted as I was to have to deal with the situation this way, it was my job at the time. The worst part of this situation is that just by working at the building, I brought home the bugs with me somehow, as we ended up with them a month or so later. Myself, my husband and my child suffered immense financial, physical and mental stresses due to this. The bedbug problem in this group of buildings is worse than the tenants know...indeed, I never entered the infected units, so I must have picked them up in the hallways or common areas i.e. laundry room of the buildings.
A very sad situation, as this landlord is very negligent in general, and there are many good, hard working people in the buildings. My advice is get out while you can, if you can.

Submitted by "slumdweller" on 10/04/2008

I read the above report from the other tenants at 2451 Queen St E in Toronto and can confirm everything that was said is true without exageration.
The landlord has attempted to prevent comunnications between tenants on this matter by removing any notices posted in the building. Also, they have slid letters under our doors which allege the problem is isolated to a couple units and that "their" pest control company is dealing with the issue. (with providing a proper report from the peat co.)
I have spoken to a pest control pro and was informed that kind of approach is ineffective and simply lip service intended to save the landlord from spending the money necessary to tackle the issue.
This landlord delivers threats and intimidation rather than a safe healthy living space.

Submitted by "Bed Bugged in TO" on 10/01/2008

2451 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4E 1H7

We (the tenants) have heard of bed bug infestations from tenants in our apartment building on all four floors going back to more than a year ago. Up until now tenants move in, report being bitten, get blamed by the landlord, and then they move out (possibly carrying the bugs with them wherever they go).

At this point we are gathering and sharing information, organizing a tenants meeting, making multiple calls to Toronto Public Health asking for a building inspection, and demanding that the landlord hire a professional who knows how to handle bedbugs to spray the building.

The landlord is dragging his feet, trying to blame a single tenant who has just moved out, lying to us in saying that only one apartment has the bugs, and also implying that those of us who are expressing concern and asking for a proper pesticide treatment are over-reacting and need to calm down. Apparently he plans on only spraying the one unit he claims is infested, and he's tried to shame and discourage those of us who have been vocal about wanting our units sprayed. So far he won't even begin to consider that the whole building may need to be treated.