Your dead on, landlords openly gouging renters. Interesting that all suites are just newly renovated? No pets, can't even smoke outside? The Landlord likes us as tenants and really doesn't want to lose us as renters as it costs money to list and rent and show his place. Would like to see a renters coalition set up in Victoria. I believe these property owners will suffer in the near future as vacancy is not as bad as the media and realestate jerks say it is.
Thank you for the post
Thank you for the email! I agree. The vacancy rate cannot be as bad as it is reported to be. Perhaps the people telling us the vacancy rate is less than 0.5% are the same people who are part of the secret 'fuel prices stay where they are even when a barrel of gas costs less than a barrel of monkeys' society. And, btw.. a barrel of monkeys is dirt cheap. Don't ask how I know this.
yea I am pretty chocked and stressed about the price of places too, i just had to give my dog up and I have 2 cats wich I cant give up after having to give up my dog, I work full time and I cant afford 800 for a 1 bedroom or 750 for a bachlor.... im couch surfing right now, and im running out of sources.... this is total BS and something should be done... I cant live in my car with 2 cats.....
No kidding you're chocked. (Must be a cross between choked and shocked. Works for me.) Landlords make it very difficult to own pets in this city. Besides most pet owners being the most responsible, caring people out there, we are usually very good tenants and like to stay in places awhile. Kinda like people with little kids, but no screaming and food everywhere. Well, maybe food everywhere. Especially if you are feeding a barrel of monkeys.
Ontario has a provision in their version of the Residential Tenancy Act that states that landlords MUST accept a pet under 15 pounds. While this does not address pets over 15 pounds, it does offer some policy direction that could be taken regarding the obtuse amount of pets being left at the SPCA or worse: abandoned at random parks across the region.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this information. Very helpful. I have received so many emails from people who have had to do exactly this and it's heartbreaking. Definitely worth finding out more about this problem.
ReplyDeleteNow here is a suggestion for Landlords that own apartment buildings:
ReplyDeleteLower the rents by FIRING your arrogant useless Property Management Companies that employ jackass property managers who do nothing but alienate and belittle their tenants. Not only does this treatment encourage a tenant to leave as soon as it is doable, it also deters these tenants and their friends from ever renting a property that is managed by one of these companies. I'm not saying all the property management companies are the same, but FOR SURE there is one real "badass company" out there that fits this bill. How about hiring a hardworking couple that cares about "all concerned."
@ anon poster #2:
ReplyDeleteApartment building owners are definitely in a league of their own. Hope things get better for your situation.
How about an online secure listing where tenants could check on the landlords?? They check our credit, references, blood type (so it seems) and we get what? Diddly. I would like to see the Tenancy Act ammended so that tenants are allowed to do a check on the landlords (like they do for us) and where we could get a) references from previous tenants about the suite and the new potential landlord, b) get a rental history of the suite (for example unexplained high turnover could spell trouble). If they are allowed to check on all these things because we live in their suites, we should be allowed to check on them before handing over half to 3/4 of our income to them!!!
ReplyDeleteIn theory Jaimiebob, that's a great idea. But I for one would not want to go down on the record with a beef about my past landlords. Other landlords would be able to check the 'registry' and refuse to rent to me for exposing them! I've personally experienced landlords who have repeatedly entered my suite when I wasn't home (I set traps to catch them), stolen things out of my yard (saw them with my own eyes), repeatedly harassed me by always coming to my property with no notice and poking around, spying on my conversations by hiding in the bushes...the list goes on and on. I pay my rent on time, don't disturb the neighbours, don't have any five minute friends and don't complain or make demands of my landlords. I always leave my places cleaner than when I moved in, do my own minor repairs, beautify the yard and don't make any noise. I wouldn't have had to move around so much if I could find a landlord that would just take my money and leave me alone. And who in their right mind would move into one of these new suites coming on the market soon because of the new grants being given to property owners so they can add a new suite to their existing property? That's all I need, having the owner in my face every time I come and go...I value my privacy too much, no thank you! I'm sick and tired of being treated like a second class citizen because I'm a renter.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteMany websites exist to rate landlords...try ratemylandlord.com.
ReplyDeleteRentR- I understand what you are saying and to some extend agree with you (who would want to shoot themselves in the foot by complaining right?) but do you see how they have us so scared to say anything against them that we would rather take it than complain about them???? It's sickening!!!! We are a lot like you, quiet, able to fix things, private and we have been treated like second class citizens by landlords since we've moved here. Been tenants in 2 other provinces and have never met this kind of discrimination/God like syndrome from landlords.
ReplyDelete@ RentR
ReplyDeleteWas the post I removed a message about problems with getting your posts up? Didn't realize it would also remove from the admin section. You can email me if you like with any problems you're experiencing with your posts, I'll try to help you figure out what's happenin'.
Great comments, btw!
I would say yes, the building I'm in I just heard just now they were wanting $900/mo and the owner doesn't want to put a dime into the place.
ReplyDeleteThe Property Management Company are also horrible people as well.
I think it would be a great Idea to have an open rant forum to talk about the Management Company that runs buildings in town here.
It is long past time the issues with the the management companies should be addressed and known to the general public. It is time to slap them in the face hard.
OMG!
ReplyDeleteThis one kind of set me off.
The following is from a craigslist ad in the apt/housing section.
__________________________________________________________
Bachelor suit for rent. Brand new, Bright and clean. Utilities included, also wireless internet and cable. Separate access. Shared laundry with access from suit. Does not have a stove but a mini convection oven hot plate and a microwave can call to view.
Sooke rd at kangeroo (google map) (yahoo map)
* cats are OK - purrr
* dogs are OK - wooof
* Location: Metchosin
________________________________________________________
Okay I will give them that they allow pets and it has a yard and they are offering free wireless internet. BUT It is a bachelor and it has no stove and it is in Metchosin.
Give me a break.
@ Omega:
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of really, really bad property management companies in Victoria. I don't really understand how they keep getting away with half the crap they do...
@ Alexander:
Sounds like the suite could also have shared bathroom facilities. Maybe the hot plate is in the bathroom.
I think we are in desperate need of a VICTORIA TENANTS GROUP.
ReplyDeleteI believe it would be beneficial for us to discuss Landlords and Property Management Companies as they SHOULD NOT get away with the crap that they do. We should be sharing our issues of concern.
Recently our Mgmt Company tried to pull a fast one on us but we found that you really need to know your rights and stand up for yourself (often - easier said than done). In any event, I found the Residential Tenancy Board to be a good resource.
These Property Managers need to be held accountable for their nasty and often arrogant unfair treatment of tenants, so we should share our stories and look for some common threads.
Kicking out seniors and low income tenants to make minor changes is SO WRONG when the Landlord's real objective is to find new tenants that will dish out more rent.
So lets find a way to let these Landlords and their Representatives know that they will be held ACCOUNTABLE for their actions and WORD of their wrongdoings needs to get out there!
WE ARE THE CLIENT - lets start making them aware of this.
Hmmm...first step - suggest they attend "Customer Service School."
Pissedoffrenter
ReplyDeleteDoes this Property Management Company have a yellow sign and have an office on Blanchard? sounds like it..
@said:
ReplyDeleteWith regard to my comments about kicking poor tenants out, I am not sure where they are located as I am just referring to the situation that has been in the media regarding the Dr. and Property manager that has been evicting tenants.
With regard to the arrogance and treating tenants like crap - NO not on Blanshard but I would say that the folks I am talking about are the largest Property Management Co in Victoria.
pissedoffrenter:
ReplyDeleteI think I know who you are talking about and yes it sounds much like that company.
these property management companies need to be exposed.
they are the most despicable people around.
@said
ReplyDeleteyes they are (despicable). And that is why I think we need to adopt the same practice as some other provinces/states and setup an online tenancy site where we can share our issues, etc. If these Landlords and Property Managers want to treat tenants poorly ( the way they often do) then they should have to accept that we may share these incidents with others.