A Flip of the Switch

As I write this, I am still in shock at how I was evicted in only 10 days, from my suite. Yes, I realize I could have stayed and fought the ruthlessness of my landlords, who told me:

 "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. 

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 

EGR ~ Extra Grace Required

 Grace is often defined as “unmerited favor.” Yet grace involves so much more. It empowers us to do the will of the Spirit, to forgive when it’s hard, to do what would be impossible on our own- from walking in wisdom to building relationships to loving the unlovely. ~ Mark DuPrè

9 weeks. This is the short span of time that took me from the shelter of my home, to being served a 10-day Eviction Notice, in the midst of a pandemic.

As I type this, I am only one sleep away from packing up the last remnants of my life and driving into the unknown.

My story, could be your tale of woe. Intermingled within are glimmers of hope, a sharing of forgiveness and the harsh truth. That despite Premier John Horgan’s relief of a ban on evictions, and his reassurance: “We’re helping renters pay rent and giving them the peace of mind that they have in a stable home in these unprecedented times.” The Premier, left an open-ended statement asking landlords to be understanding and communicate with tenants.

To explain my own personal story, is to share the last of several email communications. Where upon I made every effort, to communicate what led to me typing this in a bare space, I once occupied as home. The following is an open letter to my landlords. Out of privacy and respect, I have not included their names, nor my former address.

To My Landlords,

It was only 9 weeks ago; we signed a 12-month lease. Our interaction was positive, and I was thankful for an early move in date, plus a reduced security deposit of $375.

I had an interview with a job connected to Tourism and my future looked bright. In moving my belongings in, I mentioned I was packing my late daughter’s things.

As I set-up in your suite, upon visiting, you mentioned how nice it smelled. This was a compliment as every place I venture, I like to impart my care.

Soon I was given a wonderful job offer in Tourism, however the late start date was a concern, as I knew it would be weeks before I had a cheque. This would make my rent late and I shared with you that I was now seeking other job opportunities. With March 1^st approaching, I contacted you and requested to speak in person. Upon your arrival, I gave you proof of my small income tax refund, a two-page list of jobs I had applied for and my empty fridge, as I had run out of my savings. As hard as it was to admit, I divulged that I would be needing to access the food bank. I shared how I have helped those in need for many years, therefore I would have to humble myself to receive a food voucher. Your exact words to me were: “Let me go home, discuss it with the wife and I will get back to you.” I emailed you, right after you left to say how grateful I was. Later that night, I received confirmation that I was given 3 weeks grace to come up with March rent. I did not receive an eviction. Again, I was thankful and expressed it. I held off going to the food bank for over a week, as I didn’t feel worthy to receive further help. 

Meanwhile, I applied for more work. I also had four job interviews. This was going on into the 2^nd week of March. After my last job interview, I contacted you again via email, to say I had another interview but no offer. Following my message, you sent me by email, an Eviction notice to be out by March 31^st. I was shocked and given the stress of trying to secure employment, all I could do was to respond, “Thank you and I understand. I did add that you could keep my damage deposit, since I felt terrible over all that had transpired.”

It was soon after, I contacted the Residential Tenancy Act. I discovered several things: a proper eviction notice needs to be served in person/or registered mail and not email. Also a landlord cannot keep a security deposit towards rent. After notifying you again, you both showed up to serve me in person, with a 10 -day Eviction notice. I called the RTB and received two varied samples of the rules. There was confusion about what was going to happen, due to the COVID-19 virus. I was told that an Eviction notice cannot be backdated and that I was okay to stay until the end of April. Additionally, I was told by the RTB agent to be on alert for an announcement was going to be made, concerning evictions. Despite everything, you made it clear that I was to be out on March 31^st, 2020. 

I explained that if I was forced out, I would be homeless and thrust into a world, where a pandemic is happening. You shared that is was nothing ‘personal’. Also, you mentioned that you are exempt from evicting me because it was prior to the virus. Meanwhile, there has been proof this virus was well known long before, you serving me on March 21^st, 2020. You also told me you had showings for the suite, and I would need to vacate for 3 hours. Again, I discovered that I did not have to agree to this, since I believed I was allowed to stay until April 30^th. Furthermore, a tenant does have the right to stay, if any viewings are held. Lastly, I did not want strangers coming in and out of the suite I was still in, during the time of an outbreak. I made a request to have my security deposit, which you ignored and refused to say you would be returning. Had you waited only 2 days later; you would have received the news that I was hired FULL-time by a large North American company. There would have been an upcoming payment of March and April’s rent, once I started receiving my pay. This is what you have cost me during this time of upheaval. I have had to pay for and secure storage (again in the midst of the coronavirus). My sleep has been deprived, due to my late nights of packing. The gas costs for travelling to and from my storage. Plus, the reality that you are forcing me out into a world, when we are all to be self-isolating. Due to not having any funds to move elsewhere, just yet, I have to try and sleep in my car, after I have worked all day, (as you know, my vehicle is a mini- car)! The seriousness of the situation is if due to my dire circumstances, I caught the corona virus, there is a possibility, I could become fatally ill. 

My previous email asked you if you are sure I am evicted, and your response again was for me to vacate on March 31.

I ask you this…just how much is my life worth? The day you served me, I did not feel you saw me as a human being, rather as dollar signs that were not being paid.

The stress of moving in and out in only 9 weeks has taken quite a toll on me. I have lost out on wages due to me having to pack and move. Due to lack of funds, there was also no moving company and therefore, I have used my small car to make countless trips to the storage.

Regardless of me being evicted and exhausted, I managed to still clean the bathroom, oven and fridge, in my suite. 
Throughout the years, in other places I have stayed at, I have amassed a wonderful collection of Thank you cards from people, whose places I’ve stayed at. I also provided you with references from those, I have rented from.  

I even tried placing myself in your shoes and expressed how difficult it must be for yourselves, during these times of uncertainty.

The truth is that in all of the things you have removed from me, there is something that you cannot put a price on. Instead of holding onto bitterness towards you or the situation, every box I packed up, I prayed for you both. Whether it was for you to realize the gravity of the situation, or for your health/ wellness or even that your jobs remain sustainable…I prayed.

As people in a world filled with chaos and crisis, I wanted to leave this suite of 9 weeks and be full of gratitude for my time here. 
In every act of service, there is true grace only found, in forsaking things we think that are ours… for another.

I want you to know how equally important it is for me to share this letter with others, who maybe on either side of the fence. My wish is that a landlord somewhere reads this and realizes what is at stake. That when they come to the door to serve an eviction order, they find a message of strength- not fear on the other side... 

~ Andra Day 

By TL Alton