Posts: General / Need advice

Could I withhold rent from my landlord since there has been multiple floods, and he has yet to do anything about it? He has suggested that I not flush toilet paper but instead throw it in a seperate bin. Ew? Yesterday my whole bathroom ceiling was leaking and it destroyed stuff. I know I can't do anything about that because I don't have home insurance which is stupid on my part. Now the storage closet thats next to the bathroom is leaking water from the walls (there is also a water meter in there).

It seems like he doesn't take me serious, basically takes advantage of the fact that I'm young. I'm moving to Toronto in a week or two so he's been charging us weekly now that we're breaking the lease. to be honest I'd much rather not pay him anymore because he's a shitty landlord. This guy doesn't seem to keep to his word and lies a lot which is really frusterating. Advice please?

I don't have any knowledge of the ontario tenant act but it would be a good idea to become familiar with it: http://www.ontariotenants.ca/law/law.phtml.



If you are leaving the place in a couple of weeks anyway, not paying him would probably just get you into a legal battle that would become much more annoying and expensive than you want.



Again I'm not totally sure, but if there is a serious issue with your unit and he isn't doing anything to fix it, you could try to just hire someone yourself and give him the bill. Of course, you'll want to tell him in advance to give him the chance to get his act together. 



It really comes down to your lease and the Act, and obviously if you know a lawyer, that would be the best person to talk to.

thanks dylan I appreciate it!

Cindy: Could I withhold rent from my landlord since there has been multiple floods, and he has yet to do anything about it? He has suggested that I not flush toilet paper but instead throw it in a seperate bin. Ew? Yesterday my whole bathroom ceiling was leaking and it destroyed stuff. I know I can't do anything about that because I don't have home insurance which is stupid on my part. Now the storage closet thats next to the bathroom is leaking water from the walls (there is also a water meter in there). It seems like he doesn't take me serious, basically takes advantage of the fact that I'm young. I'm moving to Toronto in a week or two so he's been charging us weekly now that we're breaking the lease. to be honest I'd much rather not pay him anymore because he's a shitty landlord. This guy doesn't seem to keep to his word and lies a lot which is really frusterating. Advice please?

not sure about ca, but in us you have to think of it like this:



can you afford to sue him. if the answer is yes, sue him. if the answer is no, can he afford to sue you. if the answer is no, stop paying rent, if the answer is yes, can you afford to be sued, if the answer is no, pay rent, if the answer is yes, stop paying rent.



being right only matters if you can afford to be sued.

Cindy:

jesus fucking christ. lol

he's coming by tomorrow, so hopefully everything will work out. i know my rights now, so if he pulls anything i'll call the tenant board.

... don't ask

1) take pictures and video of the leaking.
2) take down details of what he's said to you.

a tenant board will be impartial, but as soon as you show them that he's been taking advantage of you, you should have 'em on your side :)

Shit in a bucket bag and leave burn it on his front steps.