What to do when the landlord crosses the line

When you are a tenant, it’s important to have a good relationship with your landlord. Unfortunately, sometimes the needs of the tenant conflict with those of the landlord and actions are taken that are outside established boundaries or laws. You need to know what to

If you feel you have been wronged by your landlord, take your time and go through the steps available to you. Hopefully you can resolve the issue easily and to everyone’s satisfaction. If not, there are legal avenues to pursue. Here are some general guidelines for the process. Check with your local Landlord and Tenant Board for the specifics of your area.

Step 1. Talk to the landlord about the issue. This can be in person, on the phone or in an email. Give them a chance to explain or rectify it. There may be a misunderstanding or extenuating circumstances.

Talking is more personal, using email gives you a paper trail. If you use email, be very clear about your wording so there is no room for misinterpretation. Consider asking another person to read the email before you send it.

Step 2. If still unresolved, follow up with another message. This time, definitely put it in writing and refer to your previous conversation/email, including the date.

Step 3. If there still continues to be no resolution, check in with a legal clinic or the landlord tenant tribunal. Common FAQs and answers are online. Most provinces and territories offer a board and call centre so that you can get guidance on your issue before pursuing litigation.

Step 4. After becoming informed of your rights, let the landlord know the legal advice you’ve been given and the action you plan to take should the issue not be resolved within a mutually agreed-upon time frame. The time frame will depend on the advice you’ve been given and the nature of the issue. Heat and water issues are higher priority than minor repairs. Be prepared to be true to your word regarding the action steps you mention.

Step 5.If still unresolved, file a claim with the appropriate Board. Note that this is a last resort, and it may be costly in time, money and aggravation.

Step 6. Mediation or a hearing. As a tenant, it is best to act respectfully and within your rights, showing that you have made every attempt to resolve the issue before taking legal action. In any case, be sure to have all your conversations pertaining to the issue documented. Hopefully the result will be a win-win for all.