Landlords and hotel operators in Fort McMurray have been warned against price gouging by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) as thousands of residents begin returning to the fire-ravaged city.
"Operators must maintain the prices that were in effect on April 30," the regional municipality said in statement issued June 2.
According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Fort McMurray in December 2015, was the highest in Canada, at $1,841 per month. But rents had been tracking downward since then as the price of oil plunged and rental vacancy rates soared to 30 per cent.
“Effective immediately, the Regional Emergency Operations Centre advises that all hotels, lease properties, work camps and rental accommodation operators must maintain the prices that were in effect on April 30, 2016, “ the RMWB statement reads.
“Those landlords and property owners that are charging prices above April 30 prices will be investigated and enforcement action will be taken. We will be monitoring this issue closely.”
Residents with concerns about increases in the cost of services can contact the RMWB 1-780-743-7000.
