BURSTRats have overrun a condo building and a Kelowna woman has been ordered to do something about it.
Donna Thomson, the owner of a first floor unit in an apartment complex on Durnin Road, received the order after the strata owners filed a civil claim to force action on a rat infestation in the unit.
According to court documents, the state of the unit had gotten so bad that a photo taken in August 2025 showed debris inside the unit piled to the height of a six-foot ladder. Reports from Abell Pest Control stated at least 182 rodents were caught in the entire strata complex between Apr. 8, 2025 and May 1, 2026 with Thomson’s unit accounting for 152 captures.
The court decision stated Thomson had returned to her unit in March 2025 after a winter away to find rats had knocked over papers in a hallway. Thomson set traps, but did not tell anyone about the issue.
On Apr. 22, 2025, Abell Pest Control attended Thomson’s unit to find “floor-to-ceiling debris” that made it not possible to complete an inspection. Abell also reported an “uncountable” number of rodent droppings, nests and breeding areas.
In writing on Apr. 25, 2025, the strata asked Thomson to clean and empty her unit to allow pest control to address the infestation. The homeowner refused to clean the unit until the rats were killed. Around this time, other first floor units were notified of the problem.
On May 8, 2025, Thomson was notified of neighbour’s complaints regarding rats and odours. The strata noted the unit had not been cleaned and a fine was being issued for violating bylaws set out by the strata.
In an attempt to escalate action, the Kelowna Fire Department received a letter on May 23, 2025 signed by 119 owners of the 171-unit complex requesting Thomson’s unit be inspected for health and safety concerns. The department replied that it could only access the unit with permission. Multiple other agencies were contacted the following month, including Interior Health, the Condominium Home Owners Association of B.C., the Regional District of Central Okanagan and Kelowna’s member of legislative assembly, but each stated the matter was outside their jurisdiction.
On June 2, 2025, Thomson met with the strata and agreed to allow Abell to access the unit by June 16, 2025 for fumigation. Thomson failed to follow through.
Abell’s route manager notified the strata on June 10, 2025 that the source of the infestation was Thomson’s unit. Wearing protective equipment and a respirator due to stale air, rodent dropping, and rotting food, the route manager attempted to enter Thomson’s unit, but later informed strata that the unit was difficult to access due to debris and a proper inspection was not possible.
On June 25, 2025, the strata gave notice requesting access to Thomson’s unit. The homeowner cleared items in the hallway to access her patio and claimed to find damage to the patio door frame she believed was the rats’ point of entry. Thomson asked the strata to repair any entry points in the unit. An inspection by Abell two days later found no evidence of rats accessing the unit from the outside, but that no entry points could be identified until the unit had been cleaned.
Quotes were obtained from two restoration companies to clean the unit, both noting it would be a “hazardous waste cleanup” and would require as many as 20 days with a team of four people to complete the clean.
In August 2025, the strata passed a resolution to spend up to $35,000 in legal fees to pursue a court order to allow the strata to remove Thomson’s belongings from her unit and allow remediation work to address the infestation.
Issued by Civil Resolution Tribunal member Deanna Rivers, Thomson was ordered on Aug. 25, 2026 that, with 48 hours notice, Thomson must allow the strata’s contractors to enter the unit, remove and store her personal belongings, and restore the unit to clean and sanitary conditions.
The strata must store Thomson’s things for three months and provide her with reasonable access. After three months, Thomson must remove her belongings or work with the storage provider to continue storing her things at her own expense. Failure to do so will allow the strata to dispose of any unclaimed items.
Also, with 48 hours notice, Thomson must allow the strata’s contractors into the unit to address the infestation and fulfill the strata’s obligations of repairs and maintenance. An order for Thomson to pay $225 to the strata for tribunal fees was also made.