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Difference between revisions of "Renting a Home"
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Another place to get help is at the Residential Tenancy Branch. You can apply for a ''dispute resolution'' hearing for repairs. | Another place to get help is at the Residential Tenancy Branch. You can apply for a ''dispute resolution'' hearing for repairs. | ||
==Residential tenancy dispute resolution== | ==Resolving disputes== | ||
===Residential tenancy dispute resolution=== | |||
If you have a problem with your landlord, you may be able to resolve the matter by talking to him or her. If you cannot work it out on your own you can <span class="noglossary">access</span> dispute resolution services through the Residential Tenancy Branch. A dispute resolution hearing is a bit like a court. You ask a Dispute Resolution Officer (DRO) to make a decision based on the law. You would need to have evidence in support of your argument. | If you have a problem with your landlord, you may be able to resolve the matter by talking to him or her. If you cannot work it out on your own you can <span class="noglossary">access</span> dispute resolution services through the Residential Tenancy Branch. A dispute resolution hearing is a bit like a court. You ask a Dispute Resolution Officer (DRO) to make a decision based on the law. You would need to have evidence in support of your argument. | ||
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To find out more about dispute resolution, see the ''[[Tenant Survival Guide]]'', a free publication of the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC), available online and in print. Contact details are in the [[Find Out More in Learning about the Law|Find Out More]] section. | To find out more about dispute resolution, see the ''[[Tenant Survival Guide]]'', a free publication of the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC), available online and in print. Contact details are in the [[Find Out More in Learning about the Law|Find Out More]] section. | ||
==Paying for damage== | ===Paying for damage=== | ||
When a tenant or tenant’s visitors damage a rented house or apartment, the tenant should tell the landlord right away. The tenant must pay for the repair. The landlord doesn’t have to pay for it. | When a tenant or tenant’s visitors damage a rented house or apartment, the tenant should tell the landlord right away. The tenant must pay for the repair. The landlord doesn’t have to pay for it. | ||
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:'''For example''': Bill Lee is a tenant living in a suite in an older house. One evening he had a <span class="noglossary">party</span>. One of his friends accidentally broke the big front window. In the morning, Bill called the landlord and explained what happened. The landlord called a company to replace the window and Bill paid for the new window. It cost $200. | :'''For example''': Bill Lee is a tenant living in a suite in an older house. One evening he had a <span class="noglossary">party</span>. One of his friends accidentally broke the big front window. In the morning, Bill called the landlord and explained what happened. The landlord called a company to replace the window and Bill paid for the new window. It cost $200. | ||
==Letting the landlord in== | ===Letting the landlord in=== | ||
Landlords can ask to see the rented house or apartment. They may want to come once a month. Landlords must give a letter to the tenant 24 hours before they come. The letter must say what time between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. the landlord will come and why he or she is coming. | Landlords can ask to see the rented house or apartment. They may want to come once a month. Landlords must give a letter to the tenant 24 hours before they come. The letter must say what time between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. the landlord will come and why he or she is coming. | ||
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===For tenants=== | ===For tenants=== | ||
If a landlord wants you to move out, the law says he or she must follow the rules and put the notice in writing. The landlord cannot just tell you to leave. If you are a tenant and you get an | If a landlord wants you to move out, the law says he or she must follow the rules and put the notice in writing. The landlord cannot just tell you to leave. If you are a tenant and you get an eviction notice, read it very carefully. You may disagree with the reason the landlord is evicting you. For example, you don’t think you’re too noisy, or you don’t have too many people living in your place. | ||
eviction notice, read it very carefully. | |||
You may disagree with the reason the landlord is | |||
evicting you. For example, you don’t think you’re | |||
too noisy, or you don’t have too many people | |||
living in your place. | |||
You may want to try to stop the eviction. You can appeal, which means you ask an official to decide. The eviction form says how much time you have to do that. Never ignore an eviction notice. You should ask for help or advice. | You may want to try to stop the eviction. You can ''appeal'', which means you ask an official to decide. The eviction form says how much time you have to do that. ''Never ignore an eviction notice.'' You should ask for help or advice. See the [[Find Out More in Learning about the Law|Find Out More]] section. | ||
Find Out More | |||
===How much notice must a landlord give?=== | ===How much notice must a landlord give?=== | ||
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*'''Immediate notice''' when the tenant is doing something that is likely to be dangerous to others. The landlord can apply to the Residential Tenancy Branch for something called an order of possession. | *'''Immediate notice''' when the tenant is doing something that is likely to be dangerous to others. The landlord can apply to the Residential Tenancy Branch for something called an order of possession. | ||
*'''10 | *'''10 days notice''' when the tenant didn’t pay the rent. | ||
*'''One month notice''' when the tenant is too noisy or has too many people living in the place. | *'''One month notice''' when the tenant is too noisy or has too many people living in the place. | ||
*'''Two | *'''Two months notice''' when the landlord is going to renovate the apartment, or tear it down, convert it to something else, or live in it. If you get a two-month eviction, check with the Residential Tenancy Branch or the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre about compensation. | ||
==Moving out== | ==Moving out== | ||
