Real Estate

Problem Downstairs Tenant Forced Upstairs Tenant to Move Out

  • Last Updated:
  • Jun 16th, 2020 10:23 am
[OP]
Newbie
May 20, 2020
3 posts

Problem Downstairs Tenant Forced Upstairs Tenant to Move Out

Hello I have an upstairs tenant of 5 years and a downstairs tenant for 10 months. Due to tenant-tenant disputes, the upstairs tenant gave me notice that he is moving out at the end of May.

On the way out he told me that the reason he is leaving is because the downstairs tenant moved in a third person and is causing the utilities bill to increase too much for him (upstairs pay 60%, downstairs pay 40%). I looked at the utility bills and it's true, this winter was almost $500 vs $250 for the same period last year. Also his dog has been threatening him and his family such that they can't even use the common areas like the yard and laundry machine. And also other personal grievances between them that police were called.

So I dropped by the place a few days ago just to help clean up some stuff and make it easier for him to move, and when I got to the courtyard (common area) the downstairs dog rushed out and charged and barked at me. Luckily I had my phone ready and got a video of this, but obviously I couldn't enter until the downstairs tenant got the dog back inside.

What can I do in this situation? Thank you all

Edit. This is in BC Canada
Last edited by ARandomGuyOrGirl on May 22nd, 2020 10:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
12 replies
Deal Fanatic
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Jan 14, 2007
5321 posts
2761 upvotes
GTA
Unfortunately I have absolutely nothing to add for you other than to ensure you post your location as it may affect what, if anything, you can do.
Deal Guru
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Mar 23, 2008
13006 posts
9992 upvotes
Edmonton
ARandomGuyOrGirl wrote: Thanks for the reply. This is in BC Canada
You need to research the process for evicting a problem tenant. Keeping track of the issues, giving warnings, etc. Talk to your local LTB when they’re available to get the details.

And then stay on top of things. Touch base with your new upstairs tenants to make sure things are going ok.

C
[OP]
Newbie
May 20, 2020
3 posts
Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately the upstairs tenant already left because he said it was too unsafe to continue living with the downstairs tenant. If this isn't cause for eviction I don't what is Disappointed Face
Deal Guru
User avatar
Mar 23, 2008
13006 posts
9992 upvotes
Edmonton
ARandomGuyOrGirl wrote: Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately the upstairs tenant already left because he said it was too unsafe to continue living with the downstairs tenant. If this isn't cause for eviction I don't what is Disappointed Face
You need to document the process. Kind of like firing someone with cause, you need to show that they’ve been warned and given a chance to rectify the situation before they will be evicted, typically.

C
Deal Guru
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Sep 8, 2007
10495 posts
13520 upvotes
Way Out of GTA
If you’ve many good gains on your property. I’d probably look at selling as another option. The climate for being a landlord in a Canada seems to have passed. One day they ban evictions, then the media starts justifying not paying rent even with CERB. Landlords have become too easy to paint as some rich people with no bills or mortgages to pay. In BC who knows what the next move an NDP govt will make either.

It’s just not a good climate for investment here anymore.
Deal Expert
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Oct 26, 2003
38883 posts
6083 upvotes
Winnipeg
Canada has let the world know about been unfriendly to investors ever since 5 years ago.
Deal Expert
Feb 22, 2011
15724 posts
20390 upvotes
Toronto
Move in upstairs, buy some nice louder speakers with bass and enjoy your property to the fullest extent of the law.
Deal Addict
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Jul 25, 2015
2489 posts
2475 upvotes
Burnaby, BC
divx wrote: Canada has let the world know about been unfriendly to investors ever since 5 years ago.
That's right. Since they banned all the money laundering everything went down the drain for "investors", and casinos.
Deal Addict
Jun 7, 2017
1043 posts
836 upvotes
BC
No part of this is relevant except the part where your tenant may have not followed the legal procedure to terminate rental contract. Focus here.
Sr. Member
User avatar
Feb 25, 2018
567 posts
215 upvotes
Rent month-to-month and you can find a tenant who fits. You can use Monthers and get paid directly.

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