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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 23:40, 23 January 2014
, 23:40, 23 January 2014→Caution!
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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. | 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. | ||
== Locks and access == | |||
You or your landlord can’t change the lock on your door or to the building unless you both agree it is okay. In an emergency like a break-in, your landlord can change the lock. They must give you the new key right away. | |||
===New lock on moving in=== | |||
When you move into a place, you can ask the landlord to re-key or change the locks, if they haven’t already done so, to prevent former tenants or others with a key from coming into your home. You should write a letter to ask for the change of locks. If your landlord refuses, you can apply to have an order from the [[Residential Tenancy Branch]] that the landlord change the locks. See ''Section 25 of the [[Residential Tenancy Act|RTA]].'' | |||
===Lockout=== | |||
The landlord can’t change the locks because you haven’t paid the rent. If your landlord locks you out, you can call the [[Residential Tenancy Branch]] and ask for an intervention, which is when an information officer calls your landlord to explain when something is illegal. If the intervention does not work you can apply for a [[Dispute Resolution for Tenants|dispute resolution hearing]] and ask for an order that will give you back possession of your place. You can also ask for money back for the time you were locked out. | |||
===Changing locks=== | |||
In an emergency, you have the right to change your locks as an emergency repair. For example, you may have a break-in, or the locks may have been broken when you moved in. You can take the money you spent on the lock off your next month's rent if you have followed all the rules about emergency repairs. See section on [[Emergency Repairs]]. | |||
You might like to change your locks for personal reasons. In this case, you need the permission of the landlord. Make sure you get it in writing. You can also change your locks if an RTB dispute resolution officer gives you permission. | |||
