Quebec housing board vows to hear tenants' complaints more quickly

Quebec's rental board says it is taking steps to make sure tenantsliving in poor conditions will have their cases heard more quickly.

Starting Feb. 10, the Rgie du logement is promising to hear tenants' complaints about units unfit to live in within 10 working days of their filing.

That's a big change from2018-19, when the average wait time for a first hearing for such a complaint was 1.8 months, according to theRgie.

The complaints will have to be accompanied by evidence such as inspection reports or a notice to evacuate the dwelling.

TheRgie says the move was made possible by new funding, whichallowed it to hiremore commissioners.

The commitmentwas welcomed by tenants' rights advocates in Montreal, who have been calling for greater oversight from the Rgie as the rental housing market tightens.

Maxime Roy-Allard, a spokesperson forQuebec's coalition of housing committees, said the promise of swift actioncould compel more tenants to come forward with complaints, rather than just finding a new apartment.

"It's a victory," he said. "We've been asking for this for years."

Montreal MayorValrie Plante also praised theRgie's commitment. Shesaid onTwitter the city has hired more inspectors in attempt tocrack down on poor building conditions and unsanitary housing.

Roy-Allard said, however,the city stilldoesn't have enough housing inspectors to keep up with demand.