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Difference between revisions of "Repairs and Services When Renting"
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Repairs and Services When Renting (view source)
Revision as of 18:39, 23 January 2014
, 18:39, 23 January 2014→If a service is taken away
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The [[Residential Tenancy Act]] allows a landlord to restrict services or facilities as long as you are given at least 30 days | The [[Residential Tenancy Act]] allows a landlord to restrict services or facilities as long as you are given at least 30 days | ||
written notice and are compensated with a rent reduction that is equal to the reduction in value of your tenancy agreement. Your landlord cannot take away services or facilities which are considered “essential” to your tenancy. However, what you consider essential may not be what your landlord or what an arbitrator consider essential. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you have a written tenancy agreement that says what services and facilities are material terms of your tenancy agreement. For example, if laundry is included in your agreement make sure your written agreement states that laundry is included. A material term is a term that is so important that without that term you wouldn’t have entered into the agreement. | written notice and are compensated with a rent reduction that is equal to the reduction in value of your tenancy agreement. Your landlord cannot take away services or facilities which are considered “essential” to your tenancy. However, what you consider essential may not be what your landlord or what an arbitrator consider essential. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you have a written tenancy agreement that says what services and facilities are material terms of your tenancy agreement. For example, if laundry is included in your agreement make sure your written agreement states that laundry is included. A material term is a term that is so important that without that term you wouldn’t have entered into the agreement. | ||
===Improving your place=== | |||
If you want to make changes to your place, like painting walls or taking out old carpet, ask your landlord and get written consent. If you make changes without permission from your landlord, you might have to pay for new paint or carpet later. Don’t expect to be paid for any improvements you make unless you have a written agreement from your landlord stating that you will be compensated for the improvements. | |||
===Don’t hold back your rent=== | |||
You may want to withhold your rent for your inconvenience or the cost of repairs you have done yourself. If you do this without getting a dispute resolution officer’s order, your landlord could evict you for non-payment of rent. It is better to apply for [[dispute resolution]] if you are having trouble getting your landlord to do repairs. | |||
===Send a letter=== | |||
If your landlord doesn’t do the repairs or give back the service, send a letter. The demand letter should say: 1) the address | |||
where you live; 2) what needs fixing; and 3) the date you want it fixed by. Sign and date the letter, and keep a copy. The demand letter might solve your problem. The letter can also prove that your landlord knew about the problem. If the deadline goes by, and your landlord has not fixed the problem, you can apply for a [[Dispute Resolution|dispute resolution]] hearing. | |||
