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Difference between revisions of "Taking Action as a Tenant"
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{{Tenant Survival Guide TOC}} | {{Tenant Survival Guide TOC}} | ||
The section on [[Dispute Resolution for Tenants|Dispute Resolution]] explained the dispute resolution process and the very limited grounds for disputing a decision. If you are not happy with a decision made by a [[Residential Tenancy Branch]] | The section on [[Dispute Resolution for Tenants|Dispute Resolution]] explained the dispute resolution process and the very limited grounds for disputing a decision. If you are not happy with a decision made by a [[Residential Tenancy Branch]] arbitrator, the only way to get the decision changed is to apply for a review, which is done only in limited circumstances. You could also apply for a judicial review at Supreme Court, but again there are only very limited grounds for review and the process could get expensive. It is estimated that 90 percent of judicial reviews fail. | ||
However, there are other ways to make complaints. | However, there are other ways to make complaints. | ||
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The Residential Tenancy Branch does not enforce orders. Orders for security deposit return or other monies owed to you by the landlord are enforced through Provincial Court (Small Claims). The court establishes the procedures for enforcing orders. Contact your local [http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts/overview/locations/index.htm court registry]. | The Residential Tenancy Branch does not enforce orders. Orders for security deposit return or other monies owed to you by the landlord are enforced through Provincial Court (Small Claims). The court establishes the procedures for enforcing orders. Contact your local [http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts/overview/locations/index.htm court registry]. | ||
You can let the Residential Tenancy Branch know that the landlord is ignoring | You can let the Residential Tenancy Branch know that the landlord is ignoring arbitrator orders. The Director of the Residential Tenancy Branch can assess complaints and impose fines of up to $5,000 per day while a contravention of the ''[[Residential Tenancy Act]]'' or Regulation continues. The Director of the Residential Tenancy Branch can impose administrative penalties of $5,000 a day on landlords for serious repeated cases of non-compliance with the ''Residential Tenancy Act''. See the [http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca Residential Tenancy Branch website]. | ||
In dispute resolution you can also ask to be compensated for the time the landlord ignored an order and withheld a service or facility from you. | In dispute resolution you can also ask to be compensated for the time the landlord ignored an order and withheld a service or facility from you. | ||
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Always ask for the name of the staff member you are speaking to when you contact the Residential Tenancy Branch. Staff must provide you with a contact name if you ask for it. | Always ask for the name of the staff member you are speaking to when you contact the Residential Tenancy Branch. Staff must provide you with a contact name if you ask for it. | ||
Ask to speak to a Residential Tenancy Branch manager or supervisor. Explain the details of the problem you had with the office and the name of the staff member you were dealing with. The manager can only deal with problems you had with office staff or procedures, not with | Ask to speak to a Residential Tenancy Branch manager or supervisor. Explain the details of the problem you had with the office and the name of the staff member you were dealing with. The manager can only deal with problems you had with office staff or procedures, not with arbitrators or their decisions. Arbitrators are independent decision makers. | ||
If you are not satisfied with the response you get from Residential Tenancy Branch management you can make a complaint to the Office of the | If you are not satisfied with the response you get from Residential Tenancy Branch management you can make a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsperson. The Ombudsperson can conduct impartial and confidential investigations to determine if a public agency is being fair to the people it serves. For more information about the Ombudsperson call 250-387-5855 or 1-800-567-3247, or go to the [https://www.bcombudsperson.ca/ BC Ombudsperson website]. | ||
===You believe that | ===You believe that an arbitrator conducted a hearing in an unfair manner=== | ||
First ask to speak to the manager of the Residential Tenancy Branch with which you were dealing. While management cannot change decisions they may be able to explain why a hearing was conducted the way it was. | First ask to speak to the manager of the Residential Tenancy Branch with which you were dealing. While management cannot change decisions they may be able to explain why a hearing was conducted the way it was. | ||
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===You would like to see enforcement by city officials regarding serious repair issues in your building, or would like your municipality to pass bylaws preserving affordable rental housing in your area=== | ===You would like to see enforcement by city officials regarding serious repair issues in your building, or would like your municipality to pass bylaws preserving affordable rental housing in your area=== | ||
Not all municipalities in BC have bylaws regarding the condition of rental buildings or the loss of affordable housing. Contact your local city or town hall and ask if there are any such bylaws where you live. If not, contact your local mayor and municipal councilors and ask why not. Local governments can play a big role in preserving safe and affordable housing, but like provincial politicians they need to hear from tenants. Look in the Blue Pages of your local phone book to find out contact information for your local government or go to the [http://www.municipalredbook.com/british_columbia.html. Municipal Red Book website] and search for your local government. | |||
===You have a problem with the way a realtor or property manager has treated you while selling the place for your landlord or managing the property for the landlord=== | ===You have a problem with the way a realtor or property manager has treated you while selling the place for your landlord or managing the property for the landlord=== | ||
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==Tenant groups== | ==Tenant groups== | ||
Sometimes when everyone in a building is having problems with the landlord it may be helpful to start a tenants' group. There’s strength in numbers and working together to get a landlord to fix problems in a building can be very effective. However, there are potential pitfalls involved with building organizing. For example, you want to make sure people in your building are on side with your cause so that the landlord does not simply dismiss you as a troublemaker. [http:// | Sometimes when everyone in a building is having problems with the landlord it may be helpful to start a tenants' group. There’s strength in numbers and working together to get a landlord to fix problems in a building can be very effective. However, there are potential pitfalls involved with building organizing. For example, you want to make sure people in your building are on side with your cause so that the landlord does not simply dismiss you as a troublemaker. [http://tenants.bc.ca/contact/ Contact TRAC] if you would like information about starting a tenants' group in your building. | ||
==Media== | ==Media== | ||
