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Difference between revisions of "Living in Peace When Renting"
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Living in Peace When Renting (view source)
Revision as of 23:03, 23 January 2014
, 23:03, 23 January 2014→Noise and disturbances
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If your landlord enters your place illegally, you can ask for a [[Dispute Resolution for Tenants|dispute resolution hearing]]. You will need proof of the illegal entry. For example, if a friend or neighbour saw your landlord making an illegal entry, ask them to be your witness. At the hearing, you can ask the dispute resolution officer for permission to change your locks and keep the only key. You can also ask that the landlord pay for the new locks. The [[Residential Tenancy Branch]] may or may not order that the landlord pay. | If your landlord enters your place illegally, you can ask for a [[Dispute Resolution for Tenants|dispute resolution hearing]]. You will need proof of the illegal entry. For example, if a friend or neighbour saw your landlord making an illegal entry, ask them to be your witness. At the hearing, you can ask the dispute resolution officer for permission to change your locks and keep the only key. You can also ask that the landlord pay for the new locks. The [[Residential Tenancy Branch]] may or may not order that the landlord pay. | ||
===Protect yourself from harassment:=== | |||
*If you feel uncomfortable, don't let the manager or owner come into your home without proper written notice. Make | |||
sure they have a good reason for coming in. Phone the police if they force their way in. | |||
*If the landlord or manager yells at you, end the conversation immediately and follow up with a letter. Do not allow yourself to get into verbal confrontations with the manager or landlord. | |||
*Any time your landlord scares or insults you, write down the time, date, and exactly what happened. If you can, find witnesses who saw or heard the harassment. | |||
*If you have a problem with harassment, try to have a witness whenever you are dealing with the landlord or manager in person. | |||
*If you are harassed by a manager, write a letter to the owner and describe the problem. Keep a copy for yourself. | |||
===Dispute resolution for loss of quiet enjoyment=== | |||
You can apply for a [[Dispute Resolution for Tenants|dispute resolution hearing]] at the [[Residential Tenancy Branch]] if you want compensation for the loss of your quiet enjoyment. You can apply for compensation while you are living in your place, or up to two years after you move out. | |||
The RTB can order your landlord to pay you money for the loss of your quiet enjoyment. For example, you can claim for part of your rent back for the time that you lived with the interference. You can also claim for aggravated damages if the behaviour was severe and the landlord allowed it to continue. | |||
You will need to bring evidence of the behaviour that resulted in the loss of your quiet enjoyment. You can use friends and neighbours as witnesses. You can also use letters that you wrote to the landlord, audio and videotapes, and photographs. You need to be able to show that the landlord was aware of the problem and chose not to do anything about it. | |||
===Caution!=== | |||
The law does not allow you to stop paying your rent because you have a problem with the landlord or other tenants. Apply for [[Dispute Resolution for Tenants|dispute resolution]] instead. Give proper written notice if you decide to move out. If you don’t, you might have to pay money to the landlord. | |||
