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February 7th, 2007, 10:41 AM
Quoting Stanley
this isnt just alberta. as far as my experience goes it's worldwide. I've had trouble with landlords in every corner of the UK, and heard tales from australia, germany, wales and canada. Basically it's easy enough for a tenant to screw a landlord over BIG style, so the landlords cover their arses with legal crap and those who have had a bad time tend to give it too.
I agree, the landlord does have the upper hand. I also think it is crazy that Alberta does not regulate rental rates, so the landlord can basically raise the rent however much they want and the renter either has to pay it or move out. It really isn't fair, especially considering the lack of available housing good or bad. I called about an apartment and was told that the pet deposit was $450.00 per pet, per year, another place I called told me it was a $250.00 pet deposit per pet, and an additional $100.00 per pet, per month. I think the "non-refundable pet deposit" needs to be looked at as well. I fully agree with paying for any damages you may cause to the rental property, but when you are paying a large sum in advance that is non-refundable, I believe that a lot of people are being treated unfairly.
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Posts: 13
February 7th, 2007, 11:07 AM
I understand what your saying, but in almost every other Province in Canada there are regulations for rental increases and more guidelines for landlords to follow to protect the rights of the tenants. When the boom started in Alberta, the news were discussing the issue of Alberta NOT having these regulations and guidelines in place to protect the tenants and they were concerned that the housing shortage would become worse because rents would become so high that people just could not afford to rent at all. I have no comment on the UK or any other country in Europe, or the rest of the world as I have not lived there, however, in Canada it makes sense to me that if a majority of Provinces have these regulations, it would seem fair to incorporate it into the remaining Province or two. It clearly works for everyone, the landlords are still allowed to raise the rent, but within reason and not every 6 months or a year, and they have to give adequate notice.
I understand what your saying, but in almost every other Province in Canada there are regulations for rental increases and more guidelines for landlords to follow to protect the rights of the tenants. When the boom started in Alberta, the news were discussing the issue of Alberta NOT having these regulations and guidelines in place to protect the tenants and they were concerned that the housing shortage would become worse because rents would become so high that people just could not afford to rent at all. I have no comment on the UK or any other country in Europe, or the rest of the world as I have not lived there, however, in Canada it makes sense to me that if a majority of Provinces have these regulations, it would seem fair to incorporate it into the remaining Province or two. It clearly works for everyone, the landlords are still allowed to raise the rent, but within reason and not every 6 months or a year, and they have to give adequate notice.
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February 7th, 2007, 11:10 AM
rent here is still surprisingly cheap
rent here is still surprisingly cheap
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February 7th, 2007, 11:15 AM
I think you just want to argue or something, anyway...my friend who is 7 months pregnant just received a rental increase of $390.00. So now her husband might have to take on a part time job to cover the difference while she is on mat leave. Oh and this brings her rent to $1,340.00 before all the utilities...heat, water, power that they are responsible for. Maybe you have lots of extra cash to toss around, but they don't and neither do a lot of people who rent...otherwise they would probably be home owners already.
I think you just want to argue or something, anyway...my friend who is 7 months pregnant just received a rental increase of $390.00. So now her husband might have to take on a part time job to cover the difference while she is on mat leave. Oh and this brings her rent to $1,340.00 before all the utilities...heat, water, power that they are responsible for. Maybe you have lots of extra cash to toss around, but they don't and neither do a lot of people who rent...otherwise they would probably be home owners already.
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February 7th, 2007, 11:17 AM
owchee, that one's not cheap. maybe they should look elsewhere. there are cheaper places. Unless they need like 3 bedrooms. which city is that? i'm in edmonton
owchee, that one's not cheap. maybe they should look elsewhere. there are cheaper places. Unless they need like 3 bedrooms. which city is that? i'm in edmonton
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February 7th, 2007, 11:18 AM
by the way i'm not arguing for the sake of argument. It's just that i moved to edmonton at the new year and everyone moans about the horrific rent prices, and yet it's often half what it would be in england. and it's still cheap compared to the cost of living
by the way i'm not arguing for the sake of argument. It's just that i moved to edmonton at the new year and everyone moans about the horrific rent prices, and yet it's often half what it would be in england. and it's still cheap compared to the cost of living
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February 7th, 2007, 11:29 AM
They live in Edmonton, as do I. Being new to Edmonton, you might not have had a chance to experience the bad areas of the City that would not be the safest, or cleanest to live in. She doesn't live in a ritzy area, just a normal area that doesn't have a high rate of crime, the last place they lived was fine until the drug dealers moved in next door and terrorized them until they had to move out. The other factor is they have 2 small dogs...another problem for renters, I have 2 cats and a 14 year old...it was pretty much impossible for me to find a new place in my area, I had to look hard every day for 4 months and I still only got to physically view 4 places. Slim pickings if you have a child and or pets.
Like I said, I can't comment on England, but having lived in Edmonton for the past 18 years, the rent was much cheaper even a year ago compared to what it is now. If you just moved here, sure it might seem reasonable, but before the boom, there was a significant difference in rent and the cost to purchase a house/condo. The rates are jumping and for the people who have been here and watched the increase, it is scary because it doesn't seem like the rates are going to stop or even slow down. Another thing is that you might be single, so a one bedroom apartment, this is much cheaper than a two bedroom that most families with other expenses have to bear. You have to think of the larger picture, more mouths to feed, more clothes to buy, so that on top of rental increases can be very difficult for families just starting out.
They live in Edmonton, as do I. Being new to Edmonton, you might not have had a chance to experience the bad areas of the City that would not be the safest, or cleanest to live in. She doesn't live in a ritzy area, just a normal area that doesn't have a high rate of crime, the last place they lived was fine until the drug dealers moved in next door and terrorized them until they had to move out. The other factor is they have 2 small dogs...another problem for renters, I have 2 cats and a 14 year old...it was pretty much impossible for me to find a new place in my area, I had to look hard every day for 4 months and I still only got to physically view 4 places. Slim pickings if you have a child and or pets.
Like I said, I can't comment on England, but having lived in Edmonton for the past 18 years, the rent was much cheaper even a year ago compared to what it is now. If you just moved here, sure it might seem reasonable, but before the boom, there was a significant difference in rent and the cost to purchase a house/condo. The rates are jumping and for the people who have been here and watched the increase, it is scary because it doesn't seem like the rates are going to stop or even slow down. Another thing is that you might be single, so a one bedroom apartment, this is much cheaper than a two bedroom that most families with other expenses have to bear. You have to think of the larger picture, more mouths to feed, more clothes to buy, so that on top of rental increases can be very difficult for families just starting out.
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February 7th, 2007, 12:01 PM
I suppose i'll find out soon. I'm married but currently my wife is finishing a contract up north. she's also pregnant so when she moves down here we'll need to rent a one or two bed apartment that allows kids.
Anyway i currently live near whyte avenue and find it a delightful place to be.
I suppose i'll find out soon. I'm married but currently my wife is finishing a contract up north. she's also pregnant so when she moves down here we'll need to rent a one or two bed apartment that allows kids.
Anyway i currently live near whyte avenue and find it a delightful place to be.
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Posts: 122
February 10th, 2007, 03:25 PM
My husband works for a property mgmt company and they abide by the laws of Alberta insofar as rent and property maintenance is concerned.
Boardwalk doesn't have a good reputation - hubby used to work there, briefly, before being laid off. You see, he actually had the qualifications required to do the job - work on boilers, plumbing, electrical etc. They laid 6 or more maintenance people off (this was a few years back) - no explanation, nothing - just "gimme the keys and here's your envelope." Shortly afterwards, a friend of ours moved into a Boardwalk Property and he said the cleaners were the ones doing the maintenance. He said he complained, repeatedly about air seeping through one of his livingroom windows. After several months, finally, someone came to "repair" it. All they did was duck tape it!! He was so ticked - he said he was quite capable of doing that himself!! He wanted it fixed properly.
The upkeep they do is superficial - change light fixtures and switches; paint. But the real maintenance that needs to be done most likely are new boilers (to heat the complex) and, of course, they don't come cheap. It is unconscionable that you can't get your heat up to 20 degrees and I would call the health dept. It is totally illegal not to be able to heat your apt. Having said that, my hubby says you can't expect to get 30 C degrees either.
My hubby's company just completed installing at least two (I think) new boilers in a couple of their buildings because, of course, they age. Once you hit 20 or 30 years, they have to be replaced. Also, if something needs repair and it's out of his expertise, no problem - contractors who have the expertise are called in - no hesitation.
So there are good landlords out there.
On the other side of the coin, there are also reasons why you often can't rent if you have pets. Again, hubby's works "...walk a mile in my shoes and you'll know why." Unfortunately, the bad ones make it difficult, if not impossible for people who are responsible pet owners to be able to keep their pets. In some cases, entire suites have had to be completely gutted because of smells and "stuff' found throughout the suite when the tennants have left. I mean literally, walls have to be knocked down, carpets and lino torn up and redone. Believe me, no rental deposit covers the cost of that!!
JM(&H)O
My husband works for a property mgmt company and they abide by the laws of Alberta insofar as rent and property maintenance is concerned.
Boardwalk doesn't have a good reputation - hubby used to work there, briefly, before being laid off. You see, he actually had the qualifications required to do the job - work on boilers, plumbing, electrical etc. They laid 6 or more maintenance people off (this was a few years back) - no explanation, nothing - just "gimme the keys and here's your envelope." Shortly afterwards, a friend of ours moved into a Boardwalk Property and he said the cleaners were the ones doing the maintenance. He said he complained, repeatedly about air seeping through one of his livingroom windows. After several months, finally, someone came to "repair" it. All they did was duck tape it!! He was so ticked - he said he was quite capable of doing that himself!! He wanted it fixed properly.
The upkeep they do is superficial - change light fixtures and switches; paint. But the real maintenance that needs to be done most likely are new boilers (to heat the complex) and, of course, they don't come cheap. It is unconscionable that you can't get your heat up to 20 degrees and I would call the health dept. It is totally illegal not to be able to heat your apt. Having said that, my hubby says you can't expect to get 30 C degrees either.
My hubby's company just completed installing at least two (I think) new boilers in a couple of their buildings because, of course, they age. Once you hit 20 or 30 years, they have to be replaced. Also, if something needs repair and it's out of his expertise, no problem - contractors who have the expertise are called in - no hesitation.
So there are good landlords out there.
On the other side of the coin, there are also reasons why you often can't rent if you have pets. Again, hubby's works "...walk a mile in my shoes and you'll know why." Unfortunately, the bad ones make it difficult, if not impossible for people who are responsible pet owners to be able to keep their pets. In some cases, entire suites have had to be completely gutted because of smells and "stuff' found throughout the suite when the tennants have left. I mean literally, walls have to be knocked down, carpets and lino torn up and redone. Believe me, no rental deposit covers the cost of that!!
JM(&H)O
