Yellowknife, N.W.T. - The Union of Northern Workers has 21 days give some tenants street access, according to a decision from the NWT's rental officer.

Three residents of the UNW building  have applied to the rental officer, Hal Logsdon, wanting their landlord to open up a fence they believe is a barrier to their safety because it means they only have access to their units from the back alley.  

Logsdon ruled last week that the landlord had to restore street access either by providing main door keys or by allowing a walkway on the side of the building where the fence now stands.

Resident Michele LeTourneau said she feels somewhat optimistic about the ruling.

"I think the rental officer put a good deal of effort into giving everyone the tools to see this to the end and to deal with it so the union has the opportunity to open the fence," she said.

According to the decision, after 21 days, LeTourneau can make arrangements to have a locking gate installed in the fence with the cost coming out of her rent.

A similar ruling made by the rental officer on another tenant's application regarding the same fence was appealed by the UNW.

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