A Winnipeg homeowner is speaking out about a lengthy wait to tear down his dilapidated house.
Andrew Jonkman said he's been waiting eight years to tear his old home down and build a new one in its place.
The house is filthy, falling apart and without a proper foundation, but it's home
He said he bought the house eight years ago for $105,000. A contractor by trade, Jonkman was eager to tear it down and build a new one.
"The last eight years have been hell,” he said on Monday.
The home, built in 1914, doesn't have heritage status.
Still, Jonkman said he's been caught up in red tape with the province for years.
A dispute over property boundaries with one of his neighbours meant he needed a special survey from the province before any work could start -- a lengthy process he said has left him physically and financially stuck.
"I can't sell the house because who's going to buy a house you can't live in, you can't rent in, is beyond repair, you can't build a new one, basically you can't do nothing with it,” he said.
Jonkman said on top of structural problems inside and out, there's a rodent problem, it's damp and living here is making him sick.
Two years ago he began using inhalers to treat his asthma.
A spokesperson with the province said special surveys are extremely rare. Missing information or a dispute can lead to long delays.
This summer Jonkman finally got the news he's been waiting for; the special survey by the province was completed.
Now Jonkman can submit applications to get permits and rebuild.
"It's exciting after eight years I can finally move ahead with my project," he said.
The province said a completed special survey is not required to tear down a home.
But Jonkman said he wasn't willing to risk building his new home in the wrong spot, not knowing the actual property boundaries.
He hopes to have the completed and on the market for sale this spring.
