Hello all

Just arrived in Vancouver to take up PR. Rented a furnished apartment in Kitsilano for 2 months to help us get started for $2k per month, advertised as modern and peaceful amongst other things.
We got here and it's dire, not modern, not quiet and the floors are so thin our neighbours practically live with us in our apartment. We need to get out because we can't sleep but I have no idea what to do and don't fancy losing our depost and the first month's rent we paid. The rentall agency don't get involved.

Anyone have any advice please? We just want to enjoy being here after the 4 year wait!!

Many thanks
Linda

That sounds horrendous.

The rental agency should have a degree of involvement - they are acting for the landlord. It sounds like there is a discrepancy between the advertised apartment and the one you are in, if not downright dishonesty! (It also seems expensive to me... but maybe not for Vancouver).

Misrepresentation perhaps?

I don't know how much deposit you paid, but your 1st months' rent will be offset against the time you are there. You may find it difficult to circumvent the rental act "notice" laws, but I would go and see the people at Tenants Resource (below) and ask for advice.

Do you have paperwork stating what the apartment was supposed to be like?
Do you have photo's?
Do youhave a rental agreement?
Is it a sublet or directly with an agency/landlord?

http://www.tenants.bc.ca/main/ may be able to help you - give them a call tomorrow.

There is more information here: http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca/

There is more information here: http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/reh...h/fash_002.cfm

I hope you can sort it out ok!

If you have a tenancy agreement take a read of that and see how it differs from what you ended up with. Also try and find any ads that attracted you to the property. I guess you did not see it before renting it? Does not help you much, but my advice to anyone moving over, get a hotel for a week or two and check out any rentals first.

Moving on, you should also look at the landlord and tenancy act handbook and you could contact the BC Residential Tenancy Branch for advice. If the property is not as described, breaches your agreement or the act, there is a good chance you could get out of it. Look closely, the let out may not be what is causing you the problem, there may be some other breach that gets you out. Some things are subjective, such as what you call peaceful may differ from the landlords view. Even though you are new here, don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. Some landlords may try it on in the hope that most will give up, few stand up to them.

If all else fails and it is very bad, consult a lawyer if you are desperate. Try the Lawyer Referral Program.

If the rental agency were involved to rent out the apartment to you, they may not have a choice but to get involved if you have a problem. Check out the act, call the RTB in the morning.

This is my view only, not legal advice, so don't sue me, I don't know anything or own anything, my ex wants it all!

I don't disagree with the other posters above but it is only two months. It will go by in a flash and most of the time you will be out and about exploring. It may sound flippant but a pair of ear plugs is a lot cheaper than a lawyer.

Spend the time finding a great unfurnished rental for the next twelve months. At least you have somewhere to keep the rain off in the meantime so you can take the time to chose somewhere you like. Even if you have to pay rent on two places for a few weeks if you find an ideal place straight away it is not the end of the world. If you default on the second month's rent you will likely have a hell of a job getting your deposit back in any case.

I agree with Jonboye, and legal action will take longer than 2 months either rent some place else or make do. 2 k is a lot even by vancouver standards. Furnished apartments are fairly rare here, so you probably got hosed.

take the next 2 months to find a awesome place! Kits is my old stomping grounds - best place in the city handsdown!

Welcome to vancouver.

I agree with JonboyE - two months isn't a lot at all. Furnished places aren't that common in Vancouver; you'll get a lot more choice and value if you look for unfurnished places and buy cheap stuff from ikea. Even if you have to camp out a bit at the start - you won't be the first, or last to do that.

Yes, I can relate to this - camping out in your own home, the joys of moving country.

Thanks all for your messages, I had some brilliantly funny PM's too which made me laugh and took the stress off! I think when you are tired your perception gets screwed up and 2 months feels like 2 years!

We checked out all the info on the links so we're now much more clued up. We've decided to wait it out as some suggested and spend the time finding the right unfurnished place for us instead of panic moving, we love Vancouver and Kits is amazing so I'm sure we'll stick around.

Linda

I'm glad things are looking brighter, good luck

I miss kits .... I shall return!

Not enjoying north van?

how about a nice little mansion - somebody has prob posted this already http://www.crackshackormansion.com/

no, just missing the old hood. I loved the beach and the walk to GI. I lived mostly around that area since 1997.

North Van is nice too and I have a much nice apartment with amazing views of downtown and the mountains.

I can prob see your condo from here.

i look right at teh revolving Q sign on the quay - i can see the sea bus coming and walk down to the terminal to catch it.

Here's a couple of shots: