"Its
nothing personal."
I beg to
differ. Thrusting a human being out into a pandemic, is very personal.
While I have
extended forgiveness to my former landlords...it does not mean I forget all
that has happened, which is now seeing me pay a huge cost for shelter.
I could have
filed a request with the Residential Tenancy Branch to dispute my ousting,
which would have me spend more time and additional money. However, right now I am working as a cleaner on construction sites. To keep those working in a
'safe environment,' myself and another team member disinfect, all day long. The
company I am employed by, is one of the second largest construction companies,
in North America. They became my priority; in a time when many have lost their
jobs, I was hired full time.
I decided where my ‘fight’ was best used, and this is against COVID-19. However, the constant stress of being under an eviction notice took its toll and I had to make the decision to accept defeat and leave my rental suite. I am staying in a hotel room, where they have been accommodating as possible.
The staff; especially the front desk lady named Lynn, continues to remind me of the genuine goodness in people!
As I try to save for another damage deposit and first months rent, I am astounded over all that has transpired, in a short amount of time.
I decided where my ‘fight’ was best used, and this is against COVID-19. However, the constant stress of being under an eviction notice took its toll and I had to make the decision to accept defeat and leave my rental suite. I am staying in a hotel room, where they have been accommodating as possible.
The staff; especially the front desk lady named Lynn, continues to remind me of the genuine goodness in people!
As I try to save for another damage deposit and first months rent, I am astounded over all that has transpired, in a short amount of time.
Yet, from reading this article by Kendra Crighton, I
understand I am not alone...
Greater
Victoria survey shows third of respondents did not pay, or partially paid rent
for April
Survey of 70
respondents says 40 per cent expect they will not be able to pay May rent
- KENDRA CRIGHTON
- Apr. 6, 2020 5:00 p.m.
- LOCAL NEWS
A new
survey from the Victoria Tenant Action Group (VTGA) shows nearly a third of all
respondents did not pay, or only partially paid, rent for the month of April.
On
April 3, VTGA launched the survey to collect information on the different
situations faced by renters and their interactions with landlords after the
first of the month, collecting more than 60 responses from across the Capital
Regional District.
Of those
people who were unable to pay all or some of their rent, 70 per cent said that
they either didn’t have enough money to pay or that paying rent would not have
left enough to cover food and other necessities. Of the people who could pay
rent in full, 18 per cent reported not having enough money for food and other
necessities after paying rent.
According
to the survey, 40 per cent of people expect they will not be able pay rent on
May 1 without sacrificing something.
“These
results confirm what we are hearing from our members,” said Ben Baird of VTAG
in a press release. “Rent is either not being paid or it’s being paid at the
expense of other basic survival needs like food and medication.”
The
survey also found that a number of renters reported they were receiving
communications from landlords threatening evictions for non-payment, trying to
set up rent repayment contracts and urging tenants to apply for government
relief in order to pay their rent. Three per cent of respondents said they
received offers of rent reduction or waivers by their landlords.
The
VTGA is calling for immediate rent amnesty in the form of rent-debt erasure,
for all renters who have gone into debt since April 1, as well as calling for a
full cancellation of rent and mortgage payments until the pandemic is over.
They are also calling for landlord licensing to ensure accountability for
landlords who use the threat of future evictions.
“By
failing to enact a rent and mortgage moratorium before April 1, the B.C.
government has thrown renters and landlords into deeper conflict. Tenants need
a guarantee that rent will be cancelled and not result in debt accumulation and
eviction in the future,” said Baird.
What is to
come, is anyone's guess and no one wins in this situation, where a deadly virus-
has
forever impacted our world.
By TL Alton
By TL Alton
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