Landlord rant ... do I have to get electrocuted ... (page 2)

talesin

I just got back from my walk. I'll be eating yogurt and fruit for dinner tonite.

Thanks to Kate for reminding me to cut the power off! DOH, I didn't think of that.

Rabbit, I can't unplug it, can't move it out, but I won't touch it!

Hill, thanks! Nope, no foil, though --- the burner service that I called said it sounds like the stove needs to be recalibrated, which makes sense. It's all out of whack.

Thanks to all for the advice ! It's all good.

Last year, the furnace went on the blink - in May. He was slack fixing it because of the warm weather. So I gave up on him after 3 months, and called my Member of Parliament (who is a local activist as well). His office called my landlord. Heat was fixed the next day.

So, tomorrow I will simply call him and threaten to call the MP again. That's the best way to get their attention in this town.

Unfortunately, in this province the tenancy laws suck. My only other option would be to get the Municipality's Building Inspector to come by and cite the landlord with a code violation. He would have 10 days to fix it. Then, in retaliation, he could just evict me on my lease renewal date, claiming that he wants to 'renovate'. They are allowed to do that here! It happened to me before. grrrrr

Aside from that, I can sue him for damages (not supplying the heat, etc. I paid for), or for termination of the lease by provision of the Provincial laws. There's no way I can force him to fix anything though, except by the above method. Also, if you withhold your rent here, the landlord can legally evict you for nonpayment. You have to pay up first, then sue him later for nonperformance. It's all set up so that the poor have to put up with substandard conditions.

Thanks for listening, for the safety tips, and being so supportive, folks! It helped. *squeezes*

t

Euphemism

Also, if you withhold your rent here, the landlord can legally evict you for nonpayment. You have to pay up first, then sue him later for nonperformance.

Are you kidding? What province do you live in? That's ridiculous!

Hope you can get it fixed stat.

talesin

Nova Scotia. And yes, Euph, it`s all set up for the landlord.

There is quite a bit of protest and unrest right now about housing here as it`s at such a premium, and there is no safe, affordable housing for the poor. Rents are higher than Vancouver, and salaries are very low. eg, $1200 /month is a *decent* income, and rent is minimum 650+ for a 1 BD apt in the city.

Landlords have their pick of tenants, and the laws support tenant abuse. Those who can`t afford legal representation, suffer. The free law clinics won`t deal with tenancy issues, they pass the poor folk on to the municipality because they can`t deal with the caseload. WHAT-ever!

It`s crazy, you have to pay up or be evicted --- whether or not services are being maintained. It`s like we`re friggin` serfs or sumpin`! That is why I call him ``Massah Landlord``. ;)

But, I will put the thumbscrews to him, never fear. hehehe He should be afwaid, vewwy afwaid. It pays to know the law, and how to push the proper buttons.

I`ll be cooking by Tuesday! :)

t

talesin

Hi, folks!

I just spoke w/ The Man. The pertinent question was,

`I haven`t complained about this since September, but now that I have seen blue flames sparking in the burner well, do you believe there is a problem with the stove?`

He said I will have either a new stove or a repair technician today. (well, I don`t want to have a technician, I just want one to fix my stove)

So, it`s looking good. ;)

tal

Special K

I may have mentioned this before talesin.

If he (landlord) doesn't follow through and the Municipality has some jurisdiction there then call the Municipal office and talk to the Fire Inspector. An order from the Fire Inspector might put the arc where it belongs (under the landlords ass). Good Luck!

Special K