Latest news with #rentaldispute
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
A tenant claims a very common problem in her rental has left her sick... now she's taking the fight to her landlord: 'I'm living in a zoo'
A tenant claims she has been left with severe health problems because of the mould in her rental as she prepares to take her landlord to the regulatory tribunal. Ksenia Pavlovskaya, 43, moved to Australia from Russia to study at the Australian Institute of Fitness and work in wellness nine years ago. She moved into a granny flat at North Curl Curl, on Sydney 's leafy Northern Beaches, in 2022 where she planned to raise her 15-year-old son. Ms Pavlovskaya claims that in January this year, her son noticed his mattress and bedroom in the back of the property was beginning to grow mould. 'The smell was so horrible inside. It was already like a swamp,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'My son's bedroom was affected the most, like he noticed it first. He started telling me the carpet smells. It's hard to breathe.' Ms Pavlovskaya's son then moved to live with his father, who now receives child support from the personal trainer. The mother revealed that she was diagnosed five months later with an illness potentially related to mould. The horrifying diagnosis has prompted her to take her landlord to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). The 43-year-old has suffered fatigue, coughing, chest pain, and anxiety since the beginning of the year. 'Usually, I'm the one who wakes up at 5am, and it's been easy for me, but not any more, because of my situation,' Ms Pavlovskaya said. 'When I started to feel low energy and getting sick, my income dropped because I could not perform the same amount of physical work.' Ms Pavlovskaya said she raised the issue in January with the property manager and her landlord - who lives in the main residence of the Curl Curl property. She claimed she was told to simply open the windows, which has not helped at all, as the mould has since spread to the ceilings, furniture, and air conditioning unit. Ms Pavlovskaya said she believed the mould issue stemmed from the flat's porous sandstone foundation and shaded position at the back of the property. Inside, she said the granny flat resembles a 'zoo' with ants everywhere and a 'musty', 'boggy' aroma. The 43-year-old (above) has suffered fatigue, coughing, chest pain and anxiety since the beginning of the year Ms Pavlovskaya went to the doctor in June, who linked her symptoms and critically low ferritin levels to mould exposure. Further battles with the homeowner then led to an anxiety diagnosis. 'Whenever I politely ask them, they always try to tell me that everything is my fault.' 'They always try to tell me, "We've done so many things for you." But they didn't fix the issue. The issue is still here.' Ms Pavlovskaya said patch fixes, including 'fogging', done after moisture is removed, and a cleaning company's efforts to 'wipe away' the mould were ineffective. She said the $780-per-week flat was not fitted with adequate ventilation or preventative features, including a fan underneath the property and dehumidifier, which Ms Pavlovskaya claimed were only provided recently. Ms Pavlovskaya was offered the option to move out of the flat and the landlord would waive the fee for breaking the lease. Instead, she has decided to pursue the landlord and property manager not only for herself, but for other renters who find themselves in similar situations in Sydney. 'I would like to achieve justice because I see that this is a big issue,' she said. 'So many of them are suffering, but they're scared to speak up. They don't want to go to tribunal because they think the landlord will screw them. 'But if they see I was able to protect myself, maybe they will speak up when they have a problem.' The ordeal has shocked even friends who are living overseas. 'Everyone is telling me, "I can't believe this is happening to you. Oh, my God, I can't believe this happening in Australia." 'It's the type of thing to happen somewhere in Russia,' she said. Daily Mail Australia contacted the landlord and homeowner for comment. The homeowner declined to comment ahead of the NCAT hearing, but said 'there are always two sides to every story'. The parties will head to mediation on Tuesday.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
P.E.I. landlord says rental turned into a nightmare after tenants 'ruined' her property
When Thamara DeVries handed over the keys to her fully furnished home in Wheatley River, P.E.I., in February, she thought she was renting it to a family of four. But shortly after move-in day, DeVries was called to help with the property's hot tub. "I realized that there was a mom and a dad and 10 children, which is definitely not what we agreed on," DeVries told CBC News. She said the couple confirmed the 10 children were all theirs and were all living in the house. DeVries immediately contacted the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC), which handles disputes between landlords and tenants on P.E.I. That began a months-long effort to evict the tenants. She said the legal process has dragged on, and in the meantime, she's watched the home deteriorate. "That process has been incredibly painful, excruciating and draining, to say the least," she said. "We have a hard time going to bed, and our financial situation has changed quite a bit, including lawyer fees and the fact that they haven't paid any rent since April." CBC News knocked on the door of the property in an attempt to speak to the renters, but no one answered. Eventually — after providing the tenants with written notice that she was going to enter the property, in accordance with IRAC policy — DeVries called the police for assistance. She said she didn't feel safe going in without officers nearby after noticing aggressive dogs on the site. Soon she saw something she found even more menacing. "There were knives all over the door frames on every door of the main floor — all covered in knives — to prevent us from walking into the property," she said. "We had to remove the knives and push the door in and to see the absolute disaster that it was." Once inside, the first thing she noticed was the smell — "the worst smell you could imagine," DeVries said. She said the downstairs of the property had been turned into a greenhouse for growing plants and all the furniture had been tossed outside, exposed to winter conditions. She also found kittens in the bathtub. "The furniture is gone, ruined. The floors are ruined. The screen doors and all the screens on the windows are ripped. The kitchen is absolutely trashed and the carpets are absolutely filthy and… my hot tub isn't working anymore and the yard looks like a dump," she said, describing her walk through the house. "At that point, I am beyond devastated." Outside, she said the tenants had turned the yard into farmland and dumped several truckloads of manure on top of where her well sits. Despite repeated requests to have it moved, she said the pile remains there. "I'm going to be left with maybe $80,000 of damages, lawyer fees to the roof and the mental stress that is … beyond anything anyone can imagine," she said. DeVries presented photos of the damages and documents showing non-payment of rent during a hearing at the end of May. IRAC ruled the tenants had seven days to vacate. But she said the tenants appealed the decision, arguing they couldn't find housing within a week and alleging discrimination in the rental market against large families. "Honestly, I have no idea how any of those two things are related to me," DeVries said. The tenants also applied for a return of rent totalling $14,500, along with "compensation for emotional distress" in the amount of $12 million, according to IRAC documents. That application was denied, with a residential tenancy officer for the commission writing that the tenants "have not established a valid claim for a return of rent and I do not have the jurisdiction to consider the tenants' claim for emotional distress." The next hearing between the two sides will be conducted in writing, and both sides can submit evidence later this week. It's not known when a decision will be made. It just feels that there is a high level of injustice and the process is not fair. — Thamara DeVries, landlord "In all rental matters, the commission endeavours to provide a timely decision to the parties, taking into account the unique circumstances of each matter," IRAC wrote in a statement to CBC News. Meanwhile, DeVries said it pains her to see the property her family worked hard to purchase — the place where she hoped to host her daughter's wedding someday — in an unrecognizable state. "It's the process that is killing us. It's not... that I have no evidence. It's the fact that the process is so slow and there's so many loopholes, and people know how to play the game," she said. "It just feels that there is a high level of injustice and the process is not fair." Conflicts between landlords and tenants are common on P.E.I., said Rowen Gallant, program manager of Renting P.E.I. at Community Legal Information. Gallant said the office often receives calls from tenants seeking to understand their rights or needing support after a relationship with their landlord has broken down. He added that landlords must also be informed of their responsibilities from the beginning. Renting P.E.I. offers a guide specifically for landlords. "It helps you know what you're getting into before you before you actually get into the trouble or the trouble starts," he said. He added that good communication and relationship-building are also crucial in preventing and managing potential conflicts. He said this applies to both tenants and landlords. "When both parties have a firm understanding of how the legislation works and what their rights are and what their responsibilities to each other are, that always is going to give you the best chance of success at having a good relationship."
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
P.E.I. landlord says rental turned into a nightmare after tenants 'ruined' her property
When Thamara DeVries handed over the keys to her fully furnished home in Wheatley River, P.E.I., in February, she thought she was renting it to a family of four. But shortly after move-in day, DeVries was called to help with the property's hot tub. "I realized that there was a mom and a dad and 10 children, which is definitely not what we agreed on," DeVries told CBC News. She said the couple confirmed the 10 children were all theirs and were all living in the house. DeVries immediately contacted the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC), which handles disputes between landlords and tenants on P.E.I. That began a months-long effort to evict the tenants. She said the legal process has dragged on, and in the meantime, she's watched the home deteriorate. "That process has been incredibly painful, excruciating and draining, to say the least," she said. "We have a hard time going to bed, and our financial situation has changed quite a bit, including lawyer fees and the fact that they haven't paid any rent since April." CBC News knocked on the door of the property in an attempt to speak to the renters, but no one answered. Eventually — after providing the tenants with written notice that she was going to enter the property, in accordance with IRAC policy — DeVries called the police for assistance. She said she didn't feel safe going in without officers nearby after noticing aggressive dogs on the site. Soon she saw something she found even more menacing. "There were knives all over the door frames on every door of the main floor — all covered in knives — to prevent us from walking into the property," she said. "We had to remove the knives and push the door in and to see the absolute disaster that it was." Once inside, the first thing she noticed was the smell — "the worst smell you could imagine," DeVries said. She said the downstairs of the property had been turned into a greenhouse for growing plants and all the furniture had been tossed outside, exposed to winter conditions. She also found kittens in the bathtub. "The furniture is gone, ruined. The floors are ruined. The screen doors and all the screens on the windows are ripped. The kitchen is absolutely trashed and the carpets are absolutely filthy and… my hot tub isn't working anymore and the yard looks like a dump," she said, describing her walk through the house. "At that point, I am beyond devastated." Outside, she said the tenants had turned the yard into farmland and dumped several truckloads of manure on top of where her well sits. Despite repeated requests to have it moved, she said the pile remains there. "I'm going to be left with maybe $80,000 of damages, lawyer fees to the roof and the mental stress that is … beyond anything anyone can imagine," she said. DeVries presented photos of the damages and documents showing non-payment of rent during a hearing at the end of May. IRAC ruled the tenants had seven days to vacate. But she said the tenants appealed the decision, arguing they couldn't find housing within a week and alleging discrimination in the rental market against large families. "Honestly, I have no idea how any of those two things are related to me," DeVries said. The tenants also applied for a return of rent totalling $14,500, along with "compensation for emotional distress" in the amount of $12 million, according to IRAC documents. That application was denied, with a residential tenancy officer for the commission writing that the tenants "have not established a valid claim for a return of rent and I do not have the jurisdiction to consider the tenants' claim for emotional distress." The next hearing between the two sides will be conducted in writing, and both sides can submit evidence later this week. It's not known when a decision will be made. It just feels that there is a high level of injustice and the process is not fair. — Thamara DeVries, landlord "In all rental matters, the commission endeavours to provide a timely decision to the parties, taking into account the unique circumstances of each matter," IRAC wrote in a statement to CBC News. Meanwhile, DeVries said it pains her to see the property her family worked hard to purchase — the place where she hoped to host her daughter's wedding someday — in an unrecognizable state. "It's the process that is killing us. It's not... that I have no evidence. It's the fact that the process is so slow and there's so many loopholes, and people know how to play the game," she said. "It just feels that there is a high level of injustice and the process is not fair." Conflicts between landlords and tenants are common on P.E.I., said Rowen Gallant, program manager of Renting P.E.I. at Community Legal Information. Gallant said the office often receives calls from tenants seeking to understand their rights or needing support after a relationship with their landlord has broken down. He added that landlords must also be informed of their responsibilities from the beginning. Renting P.E.I. offers a guide specifically for landlords. "It helps you know what you're getting into before you before you actually get into the trouble or the trouble starts," he said. He added that good communication and relationship-building are also crucial in preventing and managing potential conflicts. He said this applies to both tenants and landlords. "When both parties have a firm understanding of how the legislation works and what their rights are and what their responsibilities to each other are, that always is going to give you the best chance of success at having a good relationship."
CBC
08-07-2025
- CBC
P.E.I. landlord says rental turned into a nightmare after tenants 'ruined' her property
When Thamara DeVries handed over the keys to her fully furnished home in Wheatley River, P.E.I., in February, she thought she was renting it to a family of four. But shortly after move-in day, DeVries was called to help with the property's hot tub. "I realized that there was a mom and a dad and 10 children, which is definitely not what we agreed on," DeVries told CBC News. She said the couple confirmed the 10 children were all theirs and were all living in the house. DeVries immediately contacted the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC), which handles disputes between landlords and tenants on P.E.I. That began a months-long effort to evict the tenants. She said the legal process has dragged on, and in the meantime, she's watched the home deteriorate. "That process has been incredibly painful, excruciating and draining, to say the least," she said. "We have a hard time going to bed, and our financial situation has changed quite a bit, including lawyer fees and the fact that they haven't paid any rent since April." CBC News knocked on the door of the property in an attempt to speak to the renters, but no one answered. 'Beyond devastated' Eventually — after providing the tenants with written notice that she was going to enter the property, in accordance with IRAC policy — DeVries called the police for assistance. She said she didn't feel safe going in without officers nearby after noticing aggressive dogs on the site. Soon she saw something she found even more menacing. "There were knives all over the door frames on every door of the main floor — all covered in knives — to prevent us from walking into the property," she said. "We had to remove the knives and push the door in and to see the absolute disaster that it was." Once inside, the first thing she noticed was the smell — "the worst smell you could imagine," DeVries said. She said the downstairs of the property had been turned into a greenhouse for growing plants and all the furniture had been tossed outside, exposed to winter conditions. She also found kittens in the bathtub. "The furniture is gone, ruined. The floors are ruined. The screen doors and all the screens on the windows are ripped. The kitchen is absolutely trashed and the carpets are absolutely filthy and… my hot tub isn't working anymore and the yard looks like a dump," she said, describing her walk through the house. "At that point, I am beyond devastated." Outside, she said the tenants had turned the yard into farmland and dumped several truckloads of manure on top of where her well sits. Despite repeated requests to have it moved, she said the pile remains there. "I'm going to be left with maybe $80,000 of damages, lawyer fees to the roof and the mental stress that is … beyond anything anyone can imagine," she said. Eviction order delayed DeVries presented photos of the damages and documents showing non-payment of rent during a hearing at the end of May. IRAC ruled the tenants had seven days to vacate. But she said the tenants appealed the decision, arguing they couldn't find housing within a week and alleging discrimination in the rental market against large families. "Honestly, I have no idea how any of those two things are related to me," DeVries said. The tenants also applied for a return of rent totalling $14,500, along with "compensation for emotional distress" in the amount of $12 million, according to IRAC documents. That application was denied, with a residential tenancy officer for the commission writing that the tenants "have not established a valid claim for a return of rent and I do not have the jurisdiction to consider the tenants' claim for emotional distress." The next hearing between the two sides will be conducted in writing, and both sides can submit evidence later this week. It's not known when a decision will be made. It just feels that there is a high level of injustice and the process is not fair. — Thamara DeVries, landlord "In all rental matters, the commission endeavours to provide a timely decision to the parties, taking into account the unique circumstances of each matter," IRAC wrote in a statement to CBC News. Meanwhile, DeVries said it pains her to see the property her family worked hard to purchase — the place where she hoped to host her daughter's wedding someday — in an unrecognizable state. "It's the process that is killing us. It's not... that I have no evidence. It's the fact that the process is so slow and there's so many loopholes, and people know how to play the game," she said. "It just feels that there is a high level of injustice and the process is not fair." 'Know what you're getting into' Conflicts between landlords and tenants are common on P.E.I., said Rowen Gallant, program manager of Renting P.E.I. at Community Legal Information. Gallant said the office often receives calls from tenants seeking to understand their rights or needing support after a relationship with their landlord has broken down. He added that landlords must also be informed of their responsibilities from the beginning. Renting P.E.I. offers a guide specifically for landlords. "It helps you know what you're getting into before you before you actually get into the trouble or the trouble starts," he said. He added that good communication and relationship-building are also crucial in preventing and managing potential conflicts. He said this applies to both tenants and landlords.
Independent Singapore
27-06-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Nanyang Old Coffee in dispute with Chinatown Business Association over S$77K in alleged back rent
SINGAPORE: The decades-old Nanyang Old Coffee is being sued by the Chinatown Business Association for more than S$77,000 due to unpaid rental fees for its outside dining area along Smith Street. According to a report from Lianhe Zaobao earlier this week, Nanyang Old Coffee had occupied a sheltered walkway on the street by placing tables and chairs for its customers. The 'cafetaurant' is allegedly supposed to have paid a rental fee of S$8,636.02 per month beginning from Oct 1, 2024, for a total of S$77,724.18, according to a legal letter sent by the Chinatown Business Association, which is a nonprofit entity made up by representatives from businesses and the community and which won a tender to manage the 13 shophouses in Smith Street last year. Nanyang Old Coffee, which has been located at the intersection of South Bridge Road and Smith Street for 15 years, is not among the shophouses managed by the Singapore Business Association. However, the outdoor area in dispute is, based on the tender documents of the Singapore Land Authority at the time, Lianhe Zaobao reported. The association is also seeking S$5,000 in legal fees. Proceeds from the lawsuit would be donated to help the community, it said. It attempted to reach out to Nanyang Old Coffee last October but stated that the establishment did not give its efforts any attention. 'Despite multiple attempts to resolve the matter amicably, including a formal letter requesting the removal of furniture and potted plants from the outdoor dining area, the unauthorised use of the space has continued, even so, as of Jun 22. 'As such, the Chinatown Business Association has had to take the necessary steps to address this issue,' it said. The Chinatown Business Association also claimed it offered on multiple occasions to sublet the area to Lim Eng Lam, the founder and manager of Nanyang Old Coffee. The other establishments using the outdoor areas are required to pay a rental fee. Mr Lim has since spoken to CNA, saying that he does not agree with the demand from the Chinatown Business Association regarding the rental issue and is hoping for clarification from the authorities on the matter. CNA added that on Thursday (Jun 26), the two parties met concerning the matter at the State Courts. /TISG Read also: Smith Street revamp: Chinatown businesses strive to preserve culture amidst concerns of gentrification
