Rodents chew up girl’s schooling plan

Nursing student Kristina Marentette and her mother, Joyce, show pictures of rodents along with some paperwork from Access Storage. The 22-year-old could no longer go to school because her belongings were ruined. However, she disputes with the company about what is covered by her insurance policy.

Through Pam Wright
Reporter from the local journalism initiative

Like many of us, rodents give the Heebie Jeebies to Kristina Marentette.

When the St. Clair College nursing student discovered an infestation in her rented storage unit this summer, her world turned upside down.

“I’ve been in this unit my whole life,” the soft-spoken 22-year-old recently told The Voice. “Everything is either chewed up or covered with urine and feces. I do not know what to do. It’s full of ruined things.”

The polluted unit directly affected Marentette’s future. The nursing student, who is currently working as a PSW in Chatham, has been unable to return to school in Windsor due to an influx of rodents. Along with nearly $2,000 in destroyed textbooks, Marentette needed her belongings to set up an apartment for her sophomore year.

The saga began on July 23rd when Marentette stopped by the unit she has been hiring since February when she was returning to Chatham from Windsor. The young woman had to get a backpack while going on a short vacation, but upon entering the unit, she discovered the unwanted pests.

Upon opening a tote bag, a furry family was discovered in the trash can. Further investigation revealed extensive damage to the rest of the unit. A nest was found in a box-spring bed, and urine and feces were found on almost every surface, including a couch, TV, clothing and household items.

Her keepsakes and memorabilia, like an old Grease album, are also kept in the unit as there is no room at her parents’ house.

They too were damaged.

But while Marentette was disappointed and repelled by the rodents, she didn’t think there would be a problem covering the damage, having paid an additional $20 a month to an independent insurance company, which she was told the insurance would cover “everyone.” “ Cover damage.

Not so fast.

Marentette has been informed that Intact Insurance, the third party company, will not pay for the replacement of the items but will instead offer to shampoo and clean them.

First, Marentette told Access Storage at its Richmond Street location in Chatham that she would not pay another penny to rent the unit until the problem was fixed. The company offered her another unit, which she moved into in August, but there were rodents there too.

There is some debate as to what the rodents are. The Marentettes claim some Access employees and hired movers told them the animals were rats, but two local pest experts have identified photos of the rodents as mice.

No matter what they are, Marentette’s mother, Joyce, is dying to help her daughter solve the problem.

“This is unacceptable,” explained the older Marentette. “Kristina can’t afford to move out and put off school for another year.

“How do you teach your kids to be honest when something like this happens?” she asked.

There is a new dilemma for the younger Marentette. She is now locked out of her apartment and has received a $630 bill for unpaid rent. The registered letter she received says her items will be sold in November if the bill is not paid.

Intact has also sent her a registered letter telling her that the insurance only covers fire and theft.

“What am I paying for insurance for?” the quiet young woman asked a reporter.

All of Marentette’s claims are supported by photos and videos. There’s even a shot of a large hole in the ceiling of the first unit and damage to the underside of a sliding door, proving the door wasn’t sealed.

All the nursing student is asking is that the cost of her belongings be covered (approximately $10,000) so she can replace her damaged belongings and go back to school.

The Chatham Voice reached out to Access Storage and Impact Insurance and was told that Access was willing to work with Marentette, but didn’t specify what the solution might be due to privacy concerns.

The Marentettes are currently in the process of sending video and photo evidence to the company, Joyce said, but there is no further plan.