521
edits
Difference between revisions of "Living in Peace When Renting"
From Clicklaw Wikibooks
Living in Peace When Renting (view source)
Revision as of 17:50, 24 January 2014
, 17:50, 24 January 2014→Noise and disturbances
| Line 47: | Line 47: | ||
Write a letter telling the landlord about the behaviour that is disturbing you, and ask the landlord to stop it. Keep a copy of your letter. In some situations, you will want to call the police. | Write a letter telling the landlord about the behaviour that is disturbing you, and ask the landlord to stop it. Keep a copy of your letter. In some situations, you will want to call the police. | ||
The '' | The ''Residential Tenancy Act]'' does not specifically say anything about noise. If you are disturbed by noise from other | ||
tenants, call your municipality and ask if there is a noise by-law. You can also call the police if there is party or loud music disturbing you. | tenants, call your municipality and ask if there is a noise by-law. You can also call the police if there is party or loud music disturbing you. | ||
If your landlord enters your place illegally, you can ask for a | If your landlord enters your place illegally, you can ask for a 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:=== | ===Protect yourself from harassment:=== | ||
| Line 63: | Line 63: | ||
===Dispute resolution for loss of quiet enjoyment=== | ===Dispute resolution for loss of quiet enjoyment=== | ||
You can apply for a | You can apply for a 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. | 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. | ||
| Line 71: | Line 71: | ||
===Caution!=== | ===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 | 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 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 == | == Locks and access == | ||
