Damage Fees for a Student Rental

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Jul 8th, 2021 12:47 pm

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Jul 3rd, 2021 8:18 pm

jy2001 [OP]: Newbie; Jul 2, 2021; 4 posts

Jul 3rd, 2021 8:18 pm

Damage Fees for a Student Rental

I have no idea if this is the correct forum to post, so sorry if it is not.

Recently I have been billed for repair cost for damages in a student rental. The costs are unsurprisingly a lot, going up $500 to paint scuff marks that were created by the chairs they provided rubbing against the wall. The main issue is they are charging us for an administrative fee that is $140 in total (one for my room and one for the common area).

Do I have to pay for this administrative fee because they do not say this in the lease and it is basically their job?

10 replies

Jul 4th, 2021 2:21 pm

oasis100: Deal Fanatic; Mar 27, 2004; 9544 posts; 7827 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 4th, 2021 2:21 pm

ask them for the paint they used and buy a qt yourself and repaint the scuffs.

Full-time Realtor

+1

Jul 4th, 2021 2:54 pm

Furcorn: Deal Addict; Jun 7, 2017; 1043 posts; 835 upvotes; BC

Jul 4th, 2021 2:54 pm

Pay nothing. Move out.

+3

Jul 4th, 2021 6:57 pm

ozzie16: Deal Addict; Oct 27, 2012; 2968 posts; 4882 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 4th, 2021 6:57 pm

Sounds like reasonable wear and tear to me.

If you want to be nice, then scrub them out, or get some paint and touch it up yourself. Wouldn't cost anywhere near what they're asking. That's what I did when I left my rental - LL agreed I returned it to him in better condition than when he gave me the keys in 2017.

+2

Jul 4th, 2021 9:09 pm

jy2001 [OP]: Newbie; Jul 2, 2021; 4 posts

Jul 4th, 2021 9:09 pm

Furcorn wrote: ↑ Pay nothing. Move out.

They said they’ll “threaten legal actions” if I don't pay

Jul 4th, 2021 9:25 pm

jy2001 [OP]: Newbie; Jul 2, 2021; 4 posts

Jul 4th, 2021 9:25 pm

oasis100 wrote: ↑ask them for the paint they used and buy a qt yourself and repaint the scuffs.

Alright I'll try that if I need to pay.

ozzie16 wrote: ↑ Sounds like reasonable wear and tear to me.

If you want to be nice, then scrub them out, or get some paint and touch it up yourself. Wouldn't cost anywhere near what they're asking. That's what I did when I left my rental - LL agreed I returned it to him in better condition than when he gave me the keys in 2017.

So I should argue that the scuff marks are regular wear and tear caused by the chairs they provided and not pay?

Jul 4th, 2021 11:57 pm

moridach: Jr. Member; Jan 26, 2013; 130 posts; 148 upvotes; Vaughan

Jul 4th, 2021 11:57 pm

jy2001 wrote: ↑ Alright I'll try that if I need to pay.

So I should argue that the scuff marks are regular wear and tear caused by the chairs they provided and not pay?

Hey, I don't know which province you live in, so the laws will vary by province, but are generally quite similar on rental laws.

For example, in Ontario, if it is "normal wear and tear" it is the landlord (and not you as the tenant) who is responsible for all those costs (whether painting or admin fees). I've worked with many students in your situation, and landlords often try to pin extra costs on busy students. I really don't want you to pay any more than you need to.

I'm in Ontario so I can provide so Ontario resources, but there are similar resources in other provinces too. Try calling a local "legal aid clinic" - most universities with a law school have one, and there's other ones around. Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board has some brochures on this (https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/l ... 20(EN).pdf) and you can call the Pro Bono Hotline (Ontario) and get brief legal advice from a lawyer or paralegal for free (https://www.probonoontario.org/hotline/).

+2

Jul 5th, 2021 1:56 pm

Furcorn: Deal Addict; Jun 7, 2017; 1043 posts; 835 upvotes; BC

Jul 5th, 2021 1:56 pm

jy2001 wrote: ↑ They said they’ll “threaten legal actions” if I don't pay

You sound young. Life is full of idle threats.

Here is how it plays out: Say nothing. Do nothing. Pay nothing. Move out.
Maybe they ask you to give them money, either now or later; just ignore them.
The chance of being taken to SCC is low. If it happens, go, bring your photos, claim normal use, you will win.

LTB is not involved after you move out and cease to be a tenant.

The only way you can mess this up is if you open your mouth.

+4

Jul 6th, 2021 2:16 am

jy2001 [OP]: Newbie; Jul 2, 2021; 4 posts

Jul 6th, 2021 2:16 am

moridach wrote: ↑ Hey, I don't know which province you live in, so the laws will vary by province, but are generally quite similar on rental laws.

For example, in Ontario, if it is "normal wear and tear" it is the landlord (and not you as the tenant) who is responsible for all those costs (whether painting or admin fees). I've worked with many students in your situation, and landlords often try to pin extra costs on busy students. I really don't want you to pay any more than you need to.

I'm in Ontario so I can provide so Ontario resources, but there are similar resources in other provinces too. Try calling a local "legal aid clinic" - most universities with a law school have one, and there's other ones around. Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board has some brochures on this (https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/l ... 20(EN).pdf) and you can call the Pro Bono Hotline (Ontario) and get brief legal advice from a lawyer or paralegal for free (https://www.probonoontario.org/hotline/).

Yeah I'm in Ontario so I will ask around but I will prob listen to Furcorn and wait to see what they will do. At worst I would just have to pay the fee.

Furcorn wrote: ↑ You sound young. Life is full of idle threats.

Here is how it plays out: Say nothing. Do nothing. Pay nothing. Move out.
Maybe they ask you to give them money, either now or later; just ignore them.
The chance of being taken to SCC is low. If it happens, go, bring your photos, claim normal use, you will win.

LTB is not involved after you move out and cease to be a tenant.

The only way you can mess this up is if you open your mouth.

Alrightt I'll keep that in mind going forward in life, I just get worried a lot. thankk you

Jul 7th, 2021 10:08 am

napoleonbot: Deal Addict; Sep 30, 2011; 2291 posts; 878 upvotes

Jul 7th, 2021 10:08 am

Furcorn wrote: ↑ Pay nothing. Move out.

Pay nothing and stay there,
LOL, tell them give you $500 or you will not move.

no no, just move out.

+2

Jul 8th, 2021 12:47 pm

Lotek9119: Jr. Member; Nov 24, 2019; 191 posts; 122 upvotes; Hamilton

Jul 8th, 2021 12:47 pm

They're trying to gouge you. Paint scuffs? Give me a break.

I wouldn't pay a cent and just move out.

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