McMaster students say downtown residence building is plagued with problems

William Galloway stands in his washroom, looking into a cup he just filled with water from his washroom sink.

"You can't even see through that," the 22-year-old labour studies graduate student says, as he stares at the glass, full of white and murky water.

He fills the cup again, this time with water from his shower and the sink. At first they come out clear but within seconds become white and murky, just like the water from his bathroom sink.

"I don't know why that happens."

It is just one of the many issues Galloway and otherstudents living at McMaster University's new residence building on 10 Bay Street S., are dealing with every day.

WATCH: Tap water in McMaster residence is white and murky

Tap water in McMaster residence is white and murky

10 months ago

Duration 0:27

McMaster graduate students living at the school's downtown residence say the conditions inside are terrible.

The school, on its website, has touted the $100-million,30-storey tower in the city's core as a way to help students, particularly international students, find a safe place to live.

When complete, it will house 644 people in fullyfurnished units and have amenities including a gym, movie theatre room, study spaces, music room, a rooftop barbecue area and more.

Rent ranges from $1,375 for a private room in a two-bedroom unit to $2,065 for a 516 sq. ft., one bedroom suite, according to the school's website.

While residents were told the building was still under construction when they moved in, they say the conditions are far worse than described and the school isn't doing enough to support them.

"I felt there was so much dishonesty," Galloway said.

McMaster, meanwhile, declined an interview but told CBC it does care about its students and is doing all it can to address issues as soon as possible.

CBC contacted the firm leading construction, Knightstone Capital, for an interview but didn't immediately hear back.

International student regrets moving to building

Chanon Janesiripanich, an international student who moved from Thailand, said he has faced issues since Day 1 and regrets moving in.

After waiting hours to move into his unit on Sept 1, Janesiripanich said his unit was dusty and dirty, as if construction had just finished.

He and Galloway also said the school told students there would be "buffer zones" and construction would only happen on a floor two levels above them, but that hasn't been the case.

On one occasion, Janesiripanich said a construction worker walked into his bedroom while he was still sleeping to fix an issue with his door. He also said for the first three weeks in the building, laundry facilities weren't working.

Janesiripanich and Galloway said international students are especially vulnerable because they may not understand local tenant rights, the housing market and may be afraid to face repercussions which could impact their ability to stay in Canada.

"That was exactly my experience," Janesiripanich said.

Tenants also have to contend with the fact that McMaster is their landlord, their educator, and in some cases, their employer.

Tenants write letter with concerns and demands

Walking through some of the buildings, CBC saw wires hanging from the ceiling, holes in walls, smoke detectors that weren't flush with the ceiling, and unpainted areas.

Some floors where students live also have construction work happening on them. The noise from construction was constant.

CUPE 3906 Tenant Working Solidarity Group, which represents many of the 168 tenants in the building, recently sent a letter to McMaster, noting other issues including:

• Issues with mail services, heating and air conditioning.
• No access to indoor parking that was promised.
• A bug infestation in the laundry room and multiple mouse sightings in the building.
• Unauthorized people getting access to the building despite security.
• Some rooms had vents missing or vents that were plastered over.

Each floor has its ownwater cooler in the hallwaydue to the tap water issue, which CUPE says has led some people to develop rashes and stomach aches.

McMaster spokesperson Wade Hemsworth said water tests last week indicated the building's water system has "total coliforms" in it.

A web page from Public Health Ontario states water with total coliforms "may be unsafe to drink" because while not likely to cause illness, it indicates "your water supply may have been contaminated by more harmful microorganisms or may be a sign of bacterial regrowth."

The students demands include:

• A 75 per cent rent refund for November and December, followed by a 60 per cent reduction until construction completion, not falling below 50%.
• Guaranteed 24-hour notice through email or the portal for any room access, with specified time slots.
• A 50 per cent refund until the indoor parking facility is operational.
• Rent reduction continuation until a comprehensive inspection report on water quality, air quality, and resolution of ongoing issues is provided.
• Advance notice of construction schedules and locations.
• An external third-party hazard review.
• Immediate extermination of bugs in the laundry room and preventive measures against future infestations.
• Implementation of a no penalty 60-day clause allowing tenants to break their lease.

McMaster says it's trying to address issues

Hemsworth, from McMaster, said in an email the universityshares students' concerns and has worked to address each issue as quickly as possible.

Hemsworth said the school opened the lower floors of the building while upper floors were still being built "because we know how challenging it is for students to find safe and academically supportive housing."

"Tenants were advised in advance that they were moving into a building where construction was still taking place," he wrote.

"We are working with our development construction partners to accelerate the completion of the building and have been updating our residents."

The school said it provided a 50 per cent refund in September and a 25 per cent refund in October. It added it will offer 25 per cent discounts for November and December too.

The school also said the building's attached parking garage is expected to open next year and "impacted students" will get a partial refund. Hemsworth said students have been able to park in a parking lot across the street.

CUPE said in an email it has "profound concern" about McMaster's response and its approach to addressing the issues in the building.

The group said the school has been "reluctant" to meet with them.

"We urge McMaster University, in its capacity as our landlord, employer, and educator, to engage in direct negotiations with us after having thoroughly read our initial open letter."

If talking doesn't work, the group said it is prepared to escalate the situation.

"I'm broke enough as it is as a grad student and I find it unfortunateI'm forced into this position," Galloway said.

"Would you live in an incomplete apartment for $1,390 a month with a roommate?"