Latest news with #rentaldispute
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
Khaleej Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Landlord ordered to pay Dh125,000 after failing to deliver rental property
A homeowner has been ordered to pay a tenant Dh125,000 after failing to deliver a residential property despite receiving the full rent amount. The payment had been transferred, at the landlord's request, to his minor son's account, but the property was never handed over as agreed. The ruling was issued by the Al Ain Court for Civil, Commercial, and Administrative Claims. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit seeking to recover the amount he had transferred to the homeowner's son's bank account, based on the father's instructions, according to local media Emarat Al Youm. The plaintiff claimed he had entered into an agreement to rent a home owned by the defendant for an annual fee of Dh125,000. However, after receiving the money, the defendant failed to fulfill the agreement and later denied the existence of any deal, prompting the plaintiff to request the court administer a decisive oath. The court prepared to administer the oath in the following form: 'I swear by Almighty God that I do not owe the plaintiff the amount of Dh125,000, and God is my witness to what I say.' But the defendant failed to attend the hearing, which the court interpreted as an unwillingness to take the oath. As the case resumed, the court decided to summon both parties for further questioning. During the session, the plaintiff clarified that the arrangement was a promise, not a formal rental contract. The defendant said there was no rental relationship and that the money never entered his account. Still, he acknowledged the plaintiff's claim and asked to pay the amount in installments due to financial hardship. The court found that the defendant had not explicitly denied the plaintiff's claims or the submitted evidence and had even requested to repay the money, which the court viewed as an acknowledgment of debt. Moreover, his absence during the oath session was considered a refusal to swear under oath, further supporting the plaintiff's position. In its final ruling, the court ordered the defendant both personally and as the legal guardian of his minor son to pay Dh125,000 to the plaintiff, in addition to covering all court fees and legal expenses
