Not sure what to do / Apartment manager

[punbeing]

Hi, I've got a bit of a dilemma and I'm not really sure how to handle it. I'm sorry if this is the wrong place to post about this, I can't tell if it's bad service or not due to lack of experience involving things like this but...

Comments

[there_she_went]

In California (where all of my renters knowledge is based in) you legally can have the repairs done yourself and deduct the cost from the rent. (This would only be applicable in the oven and hinges, the erroded bathtub and no screens and improperly closing door were like that when you moved in and therefore not something that is their responsibility to fix).

Call some sort of legal aid/lawyer and see if that's the case where you live as well.

[punbeing]

Actually, the door stopped closing properly a few days ago. But thank you for the advice! I'll definitely look into that, but I have no idea if that's the same in Canada (BC) or not.

[there_she_went]

I seriously empathize with you, my landlord is a nutter and doesn't get anything fixed. COUNTING THE DAYS UNTIL MY LEASE IS UP. SRSLY.

[punbeing]

Now I know why everyone suggested I avoid leases. How long do you have left until yours is up? I really hope this isn't how every landlord is. D: The world of rental living is looking more and more like an ugly place to be.

[punbeing]

Ha ha, no, but UVic was on my University/College tour when I was looking for where I wanted to go. I'm actually going to NIC in Courtenay to take the Fine Arts diploma and most likely degree.

[punbeing]

Yeah, Vancouver Island is really bad when it comes to housing. The town I used to live in was bad too, but not as bad as this. My boyfriend's uncle is paying for a house three times smaller than the one his parents live in, and his uncle is paying double what they are.

You know, I don't actually remember if there was anything in the lease itself - I just remember her telling me to contact her about them and she'll get them fixed.

[whatisbiscuits]

This sounds bad to me, and if I were you I'd move after the three month lease is up. What happens if your hot water or heating goes in winter, how long is that going to take to sort out? Even if she does live hours away, she should be on the phone asking a repairman to come out the next day.

[punbeing]

Well, the heating thing isn't that big of a deal since I grew up in a town that hit -40 C every winter and this place gets to -10 maybe and people are freaking out.. But yeah, that's what I had been thinking. It didn't seem right that she would put something like my oven off for a whole month. I'm keeping my eyes open for somewhere new, but it's not looking good with the influx of college students.

[whatisbiscuits]

Ah, maybe you're tougher than me then. A couple of years ago our hot water stopped working in the winter and I was having to wash using cold water in the sink, not fun!

[rightsaidred]

Dude, you know you can heat up water on the stove to wash with. Just sayin'. It only takes a few minutes to heat up enough for a sponge bath.

[cidsa]

yikes, that sounds like a classic slum lord to me. Place falls apart and they just disappear and screw you over. Been there before, ugh.

I believe you can legally withhold paying the rent until these issues are fixed. You could probably also get out of your lease.. either way I'd consult a lawyer. Since that would cost money and all, I would just look for a new place right now and just leave as soon as you can.

Would you be able to go to a place that isn't on the island? I know commuting on the ferries all the time would suck, but at least you could find a good place.. Good luck :(

[punbeing]

Since the closest ferry is about an hour and a half away, and it's $40+ for one trip with a car, getting a place off the island isn't really an option for me right now. Thankfully, in 2-4 years, I'll be off the island and (hopefully -crosses fingers-) attending VanArts.

Unfortunately, I can't not pay rent according to the Residential Tenancy Act
"(1) A tenant must pay rent when it is due under the tenancy agreement, whether or not the landlord complies with this Act, the regulations or the tenancy agreement, unless the tenant has a right under this Act to deduct all or a portion of the rent.".

But I'm going to try contacting her about it, and maybe hire a repairman myself (since I think it's in my rights) if she's not going to come through.

[cidsa]

oh I'm sorry, that's super lame :(
I guess the rent paying thing has changed at some point.. or I'm thinking of the American one. Ah well.

Well good luck again, I really hope you get that solved. Not having an oven is terrible.. so is a lot of the other things you've mentioned :(

[izuzan]

i would contact the people at the govt for that act and ask them what to do. as they will likely know the rules better than you. explain whats going on and you should get some answeres.

[cerulean_me]

This isn't what you're asking about... but what about getting some pasta and soups/stews to eat. It's not fried or take out, it's usually cheap and easy too. Just until this matter is settled.

[punbeing]

I have pasta, actually. And meat too, I think. I had completely forgotten about spaghetti - I'll make that for dinner tomorrow, thanks. C:

[cerulean_me]

Just trying to help, since I was going to suggest you look into deducting the cost of the repair work from your rent... or simply withholding rent until it's taken care of. :D

My oven was broken and I was just too lazy to repair it for a long while... especially after finding the Betty Crocker Warm Delights- brownies from the microwave... WIN! lol

Salads and sandwiches those are your friends too. Cheap, easy, no baking required!

Good luck!

[punbeing]

Thank you~