I am a tenant at the residential building in Vancouver, BC, and we are having planed renovations going on. They are

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Customer: Hello, I am a tenant at the residential building in Vancouver, BC, and we are having planed renovations going on. They are replacing windows and balcony doors in every unit. Are we, as tenants, entitled to any kind of compensations for inconveniences? We have not been offered anything by the company that owns the residential building. The renovations are planned, do not relate to any emergency situation. Thank you for assisting to understand our tenants rights and options. Respectfully, *****: What steps have you taken so far? Have you prepared or filed any paperwork?
Customer: We dont know what we might be asking for... We sure are thinking of filing a request for compensation
JA: Where is the property located?
Customer: in Vancouver, BC Canada
JA: Anything else you want the Lawyer to know before I connect you?
Customer: Not sure yet what the Lawyer needs to know because this is our 1st experience like that

Answered by Debra in 1 hour 1 year ago

Debra

10+ years of experience

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Expert in: Family Law, Legal, Estate Law, Real Estate Law, Criminal Law, Employment Law, Business Law, Consumer Protection Law, Bankruptcy Law, Traffic Law, Personal Injury Law.

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Debra

163700 Satisfied customers

10+ years of experience

Debra

10+ years of experience

163700 Satisfied customers

Lawyer's, Assistant

116 Lawyers are online right now.

Debra, Expert

Hello! My name is Debra (formerly known as Legal Ease). Thank you for your question. I'm reviewing it now, and will post back again shortly.

Debra, Expert

I am sorry to hear of this difficult situation.

How long will they be in your unit for?

Customer

Hello Debra, they initially said that it will take them 1 day only to demolish old windows and a balcony frame but then on June 30, 2020 we received a notice from the building management that the contractor experience a delay in balcony doors and balcony frames delivery and did not provide the exact day of entering the units next time... However, we, tenants, had to take preparations for the contractor according to their instructions to make clearance around windows and balcony to do the job. The tenants presence is prohibited in their apartments during the works. We have been going through stress and serious inconveniences during all these preparations. Nothing has been offered to us in the way of compensations. On top of it all, the access to our parking is now blocked off by the equipment and construction trucks... I appreciate your assistance to understand our rights and options to receive any compensation or to see if this situation makes us liable to the potion of the building owner's insurance . Gratefully, Dina

Debra, Expert

This is all really a bit much especially during a global pandemic.

You should be able to get a rent abatement. You don't have the use of your home, you are entirely inconvenienced and you don't have the parking.

I suggest that you send them a letter demanding what you feel is fair in terms of a rent abatement for compensation and threaten taking them to the Residential Tenancies Branch. If they don't agree once things re-open you should seek that order. Here is a link to their website:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies/contact-the-residential-tenancy-branch

Does that help?

Please feel free to post back with any follow-up questions you may have. If you don't have any then I hope I have earned a 5 star rating but if you don't feel that I have please don't hesitate to reply back and let me know what more I can do to assist you. Finally, please know that even after you rate me I will be here for you and you can ask follow-up questions if you think of them later on at no further charge of course.

Customer

I was wondering as to what kind of appropriate compensation I could be entitled to. Would it be in some amount , % or a rent abatement for the whole month? Either or what amount would you advise to be fair to ask for? Thank you.

Debra, Expert

I think you should get back a full day's rent for the days they are there and perhaps 25% of a day's rent for the parking and for any day that you are inconvenienced.

Customer

Is it still a must wear masks for the contractors entering the private promises with tenants there ...?

Customer

Is it still a must wear masks for the contractors entering the private promises with tenants there ...? Many thanks!

Debra, Expert

I am not positive as I could not find anything definitive but it seems that it is not the law but it is recommended if they cannot socially distance only.

Customer

Thank you for your help Debra! You definitely deserve a 5 star rating. Have a wonderful weekend!

Debra, Expert

You are very welcome.

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