Landlord/tenant question

ASHBURN, VA

Change Location

Back to Conversations

RATEHUB.CA

Buzzer

114

I am so glad to have this forum when real estate issues arise and I can tap in to the expansive knowledge base!

My sister called me yesterday and she is having a tenancy issue. She's in university and if you have seen the living conditions of student rentals, you can imagine what issues may arise.

They discovered mold at her student house, which, as you probably know, can be quite dangerous and hard to shake. She had to move home for a month, and is afraid to move back in until the inspector gives the 'ok' after a month. She's also afraid it might be in the walls or something, since mold doesn't just appear out of nowhere.

[She gave me an extensive overview of her research on mold and its links to cancer and disease]

She doesn't think she should have to pay rent since the place is a hazard and I tend to agree with her. Her landlord, on the other hand, has post-dated cheques and is continuing to cash them.

What are her rights here? Anyone?

-KM

Canada / General Chit-Chat

ANONYMOUS

She still has to pay but she may be entitled to get some rent back. If this is in Ontario I would advise her to contact the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board. Just google that you will find their website. Tons of great info for both Landlords and Tenants.

MASONHOMES

NewBee

When I suspected mold in my place last year, I alerted the landlord. We had a big leak in the house the year prior, but since we couldn't see any of the mold or smell it in the house, we had to get an inspector to come in and do an air test (which cost close to a grand). Luckily, the landlord paid for it and the test came back negative.
However, it seems like, in this case, it's still your sister's responsibility until the end of the lease, and she has to take care of the mold herself.
This is from what I gathered from CMHC's Tenant's Guide to Mold: http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/reho/reho_001.cfm
Good luck!

RATEHUB.CA

Buzzer

114

Thanks! I forwarded the CMHC guide to my sister.
It sounds like the only responsibility the landlord has is to himself in making sure mold doesn't cause any structural damage to the house.

STEPHANIE STOUTE

Buzzer

These guys may be able to help answer your question - I've had clients turn to them on a few occasions for advice, etc.
http://www.landlord.net/

BRIAN PERSAUD

BabbleBee

274

Its amazing amount of resources for tenants out there...she can even get free legal advice
First place to start Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations...call their hotline http://www.torontotenants.org/services
They've threatened me on the blogosphere...so they are hyper active in protected tenants