November 08, 2016 - 12:40 PM
KAMLOOPS, B.C. - A judge has rejected a lawsuit filed by a homeowner who claimed the City of Kamloops trespassed on her property in a bid to clean up a neighbourhood blight.
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Hope Hyslop ruled against Lynda Watt, who must pay the city $58,000 for repairs.
The home as damaged in a fire in 2008 and remained damaged.
A number of reports found it was at times full of garbage and home to guests that included pigeons, vermin and squatters.
The city attempted to encourage Watt in 2011 and 2012 to clean up her property, which was deemed a health and fire hazard.
City council took a series of actions under provincial legislation that allowed officials to enter the property and home to do repairs.
In January 2014, city officials and contractors, escorted by RCMP, entered the house to make bids.
A contractor was hired to replace drywall and surfaces in order to make indoor air quality safe. They ripped out drywall and insulation to make repairs.
Hyslop rejected an argument by Watt’s lawyer that she was never served with legal documents and that she was overcharged for work by a contractor.
“The plaintiff was in breach of city bylaws and she knew this,” Hyslop wrote in her ruling.
“Her statement reflects a complete indifference to her neighbours.”
Hyslop ruled Watt must also pay court costs. (Kamloops This Week)
News from © The Canadian Press, 2016