Issue with landlords...

[taylor192]

Originally Posted by Eff-1

While neither of those two things can justify an eviction

This is the key to the rest of the stupidity in your post.

Originally Posted by Eff-1

There are a couple major points you've suspiciously failed to include in your story.

Did you ever mention to the landlord the trailer and/or the pool BEFORE you parked/installed them?

I know if I had a tenant who didn't mention to me he wanted to park a 20ft trailer in the driveway before signing the lease, sure i'd be livid. Likewise if the same tenant decides to install a pool without checking with me first and it impacts my hydro bill.

He didn't leave anything out, and he doesn't have to tell his landlord fuck all as long as he's within the written rules of the contract and law. I've been a landlord, so please save the BS.

You're the example of a bad amateur landlord that I hate dealing with. You rent the property to me, and within reason I get to do what the fuck I want to it. Its MY place, not yours. You nolonger get a say, so if you want to be livid, go ahead privately and don't bother me - yet you don't get to be a douche like this landlord.

If any landlord entered my place unlawfully I'd simple call the police and let them deal with a trespassing charge, followed by a civil charge. Amateur landlords need to learn the hard way they need to be professional, that this kind of shit only ends up making their life worse.

[taylor192]

Originally Posted by Nlkko

Most landlords wouldn't give a fuck what the hell you do in your suite unless the neighbors and housemates complain about it.

You'd be surprised of the expectations of many amateur landlords. They want their suite to remain 100% perfect and nit pick every minor detail. They don't seem to understand budgeting for wear and tear on a rental, probably cause their margins are so thin they cannot afford to.

My first landlord in Vancouver was like this, and my roommates former landlord was like this. Thankfully we have a kick ass laid back landlord now.

[taylor192]

Originally Posted by cheapskate

A reasonable person would just leave ASAP, instead this guy goes about doing a bunch of stupid shit (wasting electricity, etc.) like some 13 year old punk. There's definitely a lot we don't know here.

A reasonable person would have called the police and reported unlawful entry, contacted the tribunal, then filed a civil suit against the landlord. I think the landlord is lucky he has a tenant just causing a bit of childish shit, rather than handling it like a professional adult.

Judging by the pictures this landlord deserves everything he gets.

[taylor192]

Originally Posted by Eff-1

But at the same time, the tenant can't do whatever the hell they want without any respect for the landlord simply because he/she is paying rent. That is also unreasonable.

Take painting the walls, for example. A renter can't paint the walls and change the drapes without getting permission first. If you do, the landlord can force you to change it back.

In this case, while the landlord can't evict due to the trailer, it still shows lack of respect for the landlord. Both parties here are to blame for this situation.

Since when do you need to "respect" your landlord? Serious, WTF? My landlord isn't doing me any favour by renting me a place, I owe him NOTHING outside what is reasonable and lawful. If there's no law or rule against parking a trailer in a spot, then there is no issue. NONE.

Again, more bad amateur landlords here.

You can paint walls all you want, they just have to be painted back when you leave the place to the satisfaction of the landlord. While I live there, I can damn well paint them any colour I want, and you the bad amateur landlord cannot do fuck all about it unless it was in the contract. There's no law against paint, although many stratas have rules about drapes.

[Eff-1]

Originally Posted by taylor192

This is the key to the rest of the stupidity in your post.


He didn't leave anything out, and he doesn't have to tell his landlord fuck all as long as he's within the written rules of the contract and law. I've been a landlord, so please save the BS.

You're the example of a bad amateur landlord that I hate dealing with. You rent the property to me, and within reason I get to do what the fuck I want to it. Its MY place, not yours. You nolonger get a say, so if you want to be livid, go ahead privately and don't bother me - yet you don't get to be a douche like this landlord.

If any landlord entered my place unlawfully I'd simple call the police and let them deal with a trespassing charge, followed by a civil charge. Amateur landlords need to learn the hard way they need to be professional, that this kind of shit only ends up making their life worse.

All I mean by respect is a simple "hey landlord, just so you know, I have a trailer i'll be parking in your the driveway. is that cool?"

Or even "hey would you mind if I installed a pool in the backyard?"

Nobody likes surprises. Landlords or tenants.

And WTF is with your shitty attitude all the time. Seriously, it's ridiculous.

[taylor192]

Originally Posted by Graeme S

Reasons for eviction include non-payment of rent, non-payment of utilities, illegal actions, and so on and so forth.

THey are legally not allowed to enter your suite unless they have given you 24 hours' written notice. If they try and evict you without reason and without sufficient notice, you are legally entitled to call the cops to order them to let you back into YOUR suite. If I were you I'd start taking pictures and a small inventory of everything just to make sure nothing goes "missing" while they try to evict you. If you do not have a lease agreement, then you are considered to be on a month-to-month rental agreement which (for all intents and purposes) can only be terminated by YOU, not them.

If you are paying for the use of an area, and it is specified in the lease/contract (side of the driveway, back yard), then they are not allowed to specify how you use it unless it is against local bylaws. If you are responsible for maintenance, then the maintenance must be reasonable; cutting the yard every 4 days is not.

Long story short: the law's on your side, but the more you stick to it, the more it sounds like your landlord is gonna be a dick.

Best post in this thread!

OP I would do all this and go further. I would report them to the police and tribunal for unlawful entry. If you haven't, do it now. If you don't want to involve the police, at least contact the tribunal and get it on record.

Next step would be a call to CRA to see if they are reporting income on the property. Usually bad amateur landlords are not reporting income, and this would fuck with them more than any damage you could do.

If you do decide to leave, remember this section of the RTA. Do not agree to have the damage deposit pay for any damages, let them bill you and force them to return the damage deposit. If they don't, and 15 days pass, they now owe you double. Consider it a bonus that most bad amateur landlords don't know about.

38 (6) If a landlord does not comply with subsection (1), the landlord

(a) may not make a claim against the security deposit or any pet damage deposit, and

(b) must pay the tenant double the amount of the security deposit, pet damage deposit, or both, as applicable.

[taylor192]

Originally Posted by Eff-1

All I mean by respect is a simple "hey landlord, just so you know, I have a trailer i'll be parking in your the driveway. is that cool?"

Or even "hey would you mind if I installed a pool in the backyard?"

Nobody likes surprises. Landlords or tenants.

And WTF is with your shitty attitude all the time. Seriously, it's ridiculous.

I don't have a shitty attitude all the time, I only have a shitty attitude against people who are wrong. I know you are a mod, yet you are very wrong.

What you're asking for is NOT respect, its just being nice. I know we're all Canadians and we tend to say "thank you" when buying something, yet that's just being nice, there's no lack of respect for not going out of the way to be nice. I paid for it, I don't need to thank you for taking my money.

Now I would probably ask my landlord before installing a pool, yet would not ask before parking a trailer. Its my parking spot, I can use how I please. Do I need to ask my landlord before parking my Mercedes in my rented parking spot, seeing how many people think its an eyesore

[Great68]

Originally Posted by Eff-1

All I mean by respect is a simple "hey landlord, just so you know, I have a trailer i'll be parking in your the driveway. is that cool?"

I agree that a heads up would be a nice gesture, but the OP shouldn't need to ask permission to use his allocated parking spot, and the way you phrased it that's what you'd be doing. With this landlord, it sounds like the answer would be no anyways, so what would have been the point?

[Great68]

Originally Posted by taylor192

Now I would probably ask my landlord before installing a pool, yet would not ask before parking a trailer. Its my parking spot, I can use how I please. Do I need to ask my landlord before parking my Mercedes in my rented parking spot, seeing how many people think its an eyesore

[racerman88]

As a renter you have a lot of rights. I just can not remember the name of the organization.
They also can not go into your suite without giving you notice first. They are invading your privacy.

[taylor192]

Originally Posted by Great68:7546688

I agree that a heads up would be a nice gesture, but the OP shouldn't need to ask permission to use his allocated parking spot, and the way you phrased it that's what you'd be doing. With this landlord, it sounds like the answer would be no anyways, so what would have been the point?

That is a great way of putting it, and nicer than I could have said it! I underlined the problem in his way of thinking, its not the landlord's spot, its the tennant's. If the landlord wants "respect" then they need to be professional within the rules, contact, and law - and this landlord deserves no respect.

[Mr.HappySilp]

Why be such an Asshole landlord@@ We rented our basement out and as long as there not a lot loud noise at night and place seems clean we don't care what they do. I don't think we have any issue with anyone renting our basement all these years.

Treat others like the way you want to be treated and they will do the same. No one wants to keep moving and be force to move, is a lot of work and effort.

[FerrariEnzo]

if your contract states you are allowed to use the parking stall, then just quote it.

If they still bitch, tell them they violated the terms and condition of the tenancy act. They should give you min. 24hrs notice upon entering your place or if both parties agree upon a time of when they can enter without the 24hrs notice.

[Manic!]

Does the RV have storage insurance?

[Gridlock]

I get frustrated when people start quoting the RTA to me when we are discussing an issue. Yes, feel free to sit there and tell me that you are within the letter of the law, and yes, I know that section you are quoting because I know it better than you do.

BUT, and I think this is what Taylor192 isn't getting, it goes both ways.

We'll operate like that. And then you get to deal with a dick landlord that goes around and charges you for every nick and scratch. Hey! It's within the letter of the law.

I had a guy move in just last month. Owns a small moving company, and brings his cube van home. We were discussing parking and he decided just to park on the street. We mentioned that maybe on the side instead of out front would be preferred. No problem! No one really wants to look at a huge cube van out their window.

I have no "right" within the letter of the law to ask him not to park on the public street in front of the building. He could have told me to pound sand.

But, he understood that we weren't being dicks, he knew his truck was ugly and what a nice give and take thing. A week later when he asked if I had some paint he could use, I was equally obliging. I even did his painting for him because he was doing a horrible job.

I think the OP pissed the landlord off with a "fuck off" attitude and that's what brings us here today.

Myself, I probably wouldn't care about the surprise trailer. You are right...its a vehicle parked in a space.

The pool is well beyond use of a backyard. Did anyone offer to pay up extra hydro? There will be a nice dead spot on the lawn for years if its not on concrete.

You can't just sit there with the attitude that "I'm a tenant and a customer, I can do whatever I want with the place." You are renting the use of the space.

I have given many tenants the "power of a phone call" speech. Don't come to me with a list of issues that you've been sitting on for months is number 1. Tell me about an issue, and I'll look at it. Number 2, is keep the communication open. If you want someone to move in with you,m just let me know. It's an issue if I don't know what the deal is. So on and so on.

Ultimately, the power of a phone call would have worked here. Hey! I'd like to get a pool. The owner can give his objections on hydro and probably lawn. Awesome: How about I pay $50 extra in the summer months and re-seed when I leave?

Done!

Is it working within the letter of the law? No. But its common courtesy.

If you don't want someone over your shoulder, buy.

[Great68]

Originally Posted by Gridlock

I get frustrated when people start quoting the RTA to me when we are discussing an issue. Yes, feel free to sit there and tell me that you are within the letter of the law, and yes, I know that section you are quoting because I know it better than you do.

BUT, and I think this is what Taylor192 isn't getting, it goes both ways.

We'll operate like that. And then you get to deal with a dick landlord that goes around and charges you for every nick and scratch. Hey! It's within the letter of the law.

Just to clarify, I am not suggesting one does not use good common sense in a tenant-landlord relationship, there is some give and take.

In this case however, the evidence suggests that the landlord is one of those dicks who would be impossible to work with.

Pretty much everyone in this thread has agreed that the pool isn't kosher. But even worse is the landlord illegally entering the OP's suite, that's a pretty massive alarm bell right there.

The main controversy seems to be the trailer. It's either the OP parks it in his spot and the landlord stays unhappy, or the OP has to park it somewhere else at his expense which means he'd be unhappy. Personally I don't think the OP should have to be on the hook for that expense, especially after seeing that it is parked neatly to the side, not obtrusive, it doesn't look decrepit and is insured.

[gdoh]

this is why i hated living in a suite landlords are nice and they become complete assholes with no consideration of people below

[Gridlock]

Originally Posted by Great68

Just to clarify, I am not suggesting one does not use good common sense in a tenant-landlord relationship, there is some give and take.

In this case however, the evidence suggests that the landlord is one of those dicks who would be impossible to work with.

Pretty much everyone in this thread has agreed that the pool isn't kosher. But even worse is the landlord illegally entering the OP's suite, that's a pretty massive alarm bell right there.

The main controversy seems to be the trailer. It's either the OP parks it in his spot and the landlord stays unhappy, or the OP has to park it somewhere else at his expense which means he'd be unhappy. Personally I don't think the OP should have to be on the hook for that expense, especially after seeing that it is parked neatly to the side, not obtrusive, it doesn't look decrepit and is insured.

I totally agree.

I think entering the suite is covered in "Being a Landlord 101" on the first day, and yeah, that causes me concern.

I think the OP's "fuck off" attitude didn't get him where he wanted to be, and the landlord said, "alright. Fuck me? Fuck you too"

There is other evidence on this board of other issues with people that the OP has had that leads me to feel this way.

The key here, is to "fuck them too" within the confines of the law.

There are a few tenants that have nominated themselves to my "fuck off" list. The key here is, they put themselves on the list. There are some tenants that I instantly get along with really well. There are some that I say hi to, and carry on, and outside our jobs we really wouldn't have anything to do with them.

Then there are the ones that push it. Taylor is going to say I'm a prick landlord, but I pride myself on being able to deal with most people. People nominate themselves to the list, purely on attitude.

There was a guy at our newest building that actually won me over. He is a heavy smoker. HEAVY. I was working on the unit next to him, and he was giving me shit about the water being off. I kind of took it on the cheek at the time. Then we saw inside his place. Everything was orange. The nicotine had pooled in condensation creating black pools on the window sill. The curtains were crunchy.

So I send him a letter. Probably the most direct I've ever sent to a tenant. Basically, I told him here's the issues. Here is what you have to do, and by when. Failure means eviction.

I was expecting massive resistance when he requested a meeting. Had it all planned out. He was going to tell me that there was nothing on his lease regarding smoking. Repairs have lapsed for years in the building and you fix that, and then I'll think about fixing my place and so on.

Instead, he had an issue with the tone of the letter(how do you dress up, I want you out of the building?) but was apologetic and took full responsibility. He asked for more time to comply than I originally gave him, and we left with a handshake.

There is a guy that was, and should still be right on the "fuck off" list, but isn't. I don't like the guy, but I can still work with him. So on my fuck off list, I have a woman that really hasn't done anything "bad" to the building but has a horrible attitude towards me, and as soon as I have enough to work with, I'm going to take her house, but a guy that has done damage but took responsibility is not.

My point has gone a little beyond the OP's problem, but its good advice in any situation such as this. You really do get what you give with MOST people.

[taylor192]

Originally Posted by Gridlock

Then there are the ones that push it. Taylor is going to say I'm a prick landlord, but I pride myself on being able to deal with most people. People nominate themselves to the list, purely on attitude.

You'll notice I haven't quoted you in this thread, cause I think your accounts make for what a good landlord should be. I'd rent from you... and I'm currently looking for a 1bdrm unit in Vancouver West.

Your smoking example is a great example, yet lets put it into context:

Smoking did damage to the unit which needed to be repaired, and the action had to stop before the repairs would become much more extensive. Fair enough.

The pool does minimal damage. The OP can buy some fresh sod replace any dead grass, and most shared utility rentals have a clause to adjust prices based on usage. If the pool was using more, bill the tenant more.

I do have a problem with this:

Originally Posted by Gridlock

If you don't want someone over your shoulder, buy.

There's no reason a landlord should be looking over any tenants shoulder prior to receiving a complaint or a move out notice. BC has a rule where landlords are allowed to do an inspection a few times a year, yet that is mainly to prevent grow-ops and shouldn't be abused to keep your investment pristine. Otherwise, its my place while I rent it. If I damage it, I have till I move out to fix it unless it creates a complaint or is unlawful.

Ultimately I don't think that's the problem here, that the landlord's complaints are not about damage or bills. The complaints are typical NIMBY asshole crap that no-one, community members, neighbours or tenants should have to put up with.

[taylor192]

Originally Posted by Gridlock

BUT, and I think this is what Taylor192 isn't getting, it goes both ways.

I get that it goes both ways, what you're not getting is that when you start off being unreasonable, there's no 2 ways about it. Asking someone to move something unsightly is rude, you're putting down what they own and how they are using it, and you should expect NO respect in return.

I'm surprised the guy with the moving van offered to park on the side street, I would've never complied with that request. Since when did a view of a street become so valuable?

Its like that idiot in North Van complaining he cannot sell his $6.5M house cause of a farmer selling produce down the street. More NIMBY crap and deserves no respect.

[Gridlock]

Originally Posted by taylor192

I'm surprised the guy with the moving van offered to park on the side street, I would've never complied with that request. Since when did a view of a street become so valuable?

Well, there's that fine line again. He could have said, "i"ll park it where I damn well feel like. You don't own the street."

That's cool.

If that's your attitude, I hope you like watching tv at a whisper, 'cause if it goes over 2, I'm at your door.

If he had said, well, I live at the front of the building and would like to keep an eye on it...hey great! good point. He doesn't by the way.

I would never go and ask him to stop parking out front if he did. I'm not a nazi.

It's simply a big truck, that isn't all that pretty. It was a reasonable request, and I got a reasonable response. The next time he needs a favour, I'd be more inclined to say yes, instead of no. Which already got called in, and I was more than happy to help. That's how you build a community.

If you want to be a dick, then be damned sure you are never going to need something from me-as I said, I'll play whatever game you want to play. We're going to play "letter of the law" then we'll do it. You want to play nice and scratch my back, I'll scratch yours, I can do it just as easy.

[taylor192]

Originally Posted by Gridlock

I would never go and ask him to stop parking out front if he did. I'm not a nazi.

That sums up the entire argument. You won't, this landlord did.

Originally Posted by Gridlock

Well, there's that fine line again.

It is a fine line when you paint it as such, as most of us use pretty broad strokes.

What happens if his response is just "nah, I'd rather not walk that far". That's on par with your "I like the view", ie not a very good reason, and doesn't quote laws/rules/contracts, just a preference. So what happens then? Do you start nit picking the music volume cause you didn't get your way? do you put him on the "fuck off" list cause he didn't give a good reason for complying with your wishes?

If you just mind your own business and don't pull the NIMBY crap on things that ultimately don't really matter, then there's no fine line I wouldn't ever dare ask someone not to park on the street, its not a fine line I wish to draw.

[Gridlock]

Ha...this is fun, but going round in circles makes me dizzy.

I am trying to rent nice apartments in an "up and coming" neighborhood in a building that we've dumped a shitload of work into.

If having some big truck parked out front causes a quality tenant to pass and go to one of the several other buildings in the neighborhood going after the same types of people, then it just became a small issue.

Now, if a guy across the street parks his there, then I'm dead in the water, but most reasonable people would see what I'm trying to do, and assist in where we're going.

And, once again, if his attitude was"I'll park it here to fuck him" then yes, I will nitpick you to fuck you. Not quite in the high school, eye for an eye type way-I really don't have that much time in my life, but in general, I'm not going to go out of my way to be nice, and not have it returned.

Just going to put this in there, in case my sample tenant here is a closet fan of the import scene-your truck isn't that bad! Purely using it as an example

[Gridlock]

BTW...this is just going to make your head spin...that logic above is the same reason I like attractive people. They look nicer in the halls for new tenants

Gotta do something to minimize the impact of the drunk slob on 2.

[Lomac]

Originally Posted by taylor192

Since when do you need to "respect" your landlord? Serious, WTF? My landlord isn't doing me any favour by renting me a place, I owe him NOTHING outside what is reasonable and lawful. If there's no law or rule against parking a trailer in a spot, then there is no issue. NONE.

Again, more bad amateur landlords here.

You can paint walls all you want, they just have to be painted back when you leave the place to the satisfaction of the landlord. While I live there, I can damn well paint them any colour I want, and you the bad amateur landlord cannot do fuck all about it unless it was in the contract. There's no law against paint, although many stratas have rules about drapes.

Many stratas (yes, admittedly the conversation is about a basement suite) have restrictions stipulating that vehicles parked in a spot must be insured for the road and not be over a certain size. As well, many have restrictions on painting walls inside each unit. My ex's apartment was like this.

Originally Posted by taylor192

I don't have a shitty attitude all the time, I only have a shitty attitude against people who are wrong.

ZOMG, I've found Skinnypup's second account! lol

Originally Posted by taylor192

What you're asking for is NOT respect, its just being nice. I know we're all Canadians and we tend to say "thank you" when buying something, yet that's just being nice, there's no lack of respect for not going out of the way to be nice. I paid for it, I don't need to thank you for taking my money.

Now I would probably ask my landlord before installing a pool, yet would not ask before parking a trailer. Its my parking spot, I can use how I please. Do I need to ask my landlord before parking my Mercedes in my rented parking spot, seeing how many people think its an eyesore

No, you're not asking for respect but if you want a good relationship between a tenant and owner, respect goes a loooong way. A friend of mine just rented a basement suite that didn't come with a specific parking spot on the yard, just the street. However, since one of his two vehicles is a work van that's constantly loaded with very expensive equipment, him and his new landlord talked about it and agreed to let him park it in the driveway. This, among other things that were originally not part of the agreement, allowed both my friend and his landlord to form a quick bond of mutual respect for one another and should hopefully go towards keeping each other happy should a situation arises that may otherwise become a deal breaker.