Fine landlords that break rules
Posted by Tyler Kinch on 7th July 2007
From here:
NDP MLA Ray Martin, speaking up for Dania Kochan, a downtown renter who was given just one month’s notice to move out of her apartment in advance of a condominium conversion, demanded the PCs start fining landlords who violate the Residential Tenancies Act.
“Until landlords learn that there’s a penalty for breaking the law, they’ll keep breaking it,” Martin said. “Anyone else who gets caught breaking the law has to pay, so why should landlords get any special treatment?”
The landlord served Kochan with the eviction notice on June 26, 2007, ordering her to vacate the unit by the end of July. By law, she is entitled to a minimum of 90 days notice. However, a condominium plan was filed for the property at 10240-122 Street on May 8, 2007, so Kochan is entitled to 365 days notice.
When Kochan called her landlord, he explained he wasn’t making enough money by renting the suites. When NDP staff contacted Government Services on the renter’s behalf, they were advised the tenant should obtain “legal counsel.”
“Tenants shouldn’t have to get a lawyer when a landlord is unlawfully evicting them. Government has a duty to protect these people.” said Martin.
“The Tories have their priorities backwards: they’re standing up for the gougers while families get hosed.”
Posted in Politics, Rent Controls | 3 Comments »