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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 18:57, 23 January 2014
, 18:57, 23 January 2014→Building inspections in Vancouver
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The City of Vancouver has a Standards of Maintenance by-law for enforcing basic housing standards. The by-law covers everything from heat and hot water to rotting floors. Other by-laws make a landlord get rid of cockroaches, mice and fleas. If you live in Vancouver, you can phone City Hall and ask an inspector to check your place. The phone number for the City of Vancouver property use inspector is '''(604)873-7398'''. For information on the Vancouver health by-law contact Vancouver Coastal Health at '''(604) 675-3800'''. | The City of Vancouver has a Standards of Maintenance by-law for enforcing basic housing standards. The by-law covers everything from heat and hot water to rotting floors. Other by-laws make a landlord get rid of cockroaches, mice and fleas. If you live in Vancouver, you can phone City Hall and ask an inspector to check your place. The phone number for the City of Vancouver property use inspector is '''(604)873-7398'''. For information on the Vancouver health by-law contact Vancouver Coastal Health at '''(604) 675-3800'''. | ||
===Repairs and “illegal” suites=== | |||
When suites in houses are illegal it’s because the municipality does not allow them. If you live in an illegal suite, you have the same rights as every other tenant under the [[Residential Tenancy Act]]. You can apply for a [[Dispute Resolution| dispute resolution hearing]] for repairs. The [[Residential Tenancy Branch]] will not contact your municipality. | |||
However, don’t phone the municipality about a repair problem if you think your suite is illegal. If you report the suite, the municipality might close down the suite and tell the landlord to evict you. If your suite is closed down by the municipality you could be given a one month eviction notice. | |||
===Pest control=== | |||
Your landlord is responsible for the removal of pests such as insects or rodents. If you discover a pest problem let your landlord know as soon as possible. Some pest problems like bedbugs can be very difficult to treat. It is important that a professional pest control company is hired to treat the problem properly. Write a letter to the landlord and keep a copy for yourself to document the problem. You can also phone your local health authority to ask if they can do an inspection and order the landlord to treat | |||
the pest problem. The health authority may get involved when there is the potential that the pest may carry disease. If your health authority won’t get involved you can still file for dispute resolution at the Residential Tenancy Branch to get an order to make the landlord treat the pest problem. | |||
