Discussions

Can a landlord just chose to not repair essential things around the rental property or are they legally obliged too? We rent an older house and last July (yes almost a year ago) some electric outlets in the kitchen stopped working and we have asked them numerous times if it could be fixed. For the longest time the request just got ignored but when it came to re-signing the lease earlier this year they finally acknowledged it and promised to fix it yet it's been almost two months yet again and nothing!! Rent gets payed on time, We keep the house in excellent condition, and we're quite & clean. I don't think this is asking a lot. Short of moving out (which we don't want to do, as we love the house) we're not sure how to handle this. I want to keep the peace with the landlord but also very Fed Up with this Sh$&!!!

I would talk to someone at the Residential Tenancy Branch. They are there to help you mediate with your landlord, and vice versa.

Electrical outlets not working. I'm far from an expert on the subject but it would appear to me that this could indicate a serious electrical problem with the house or.....it could be as simple as a blown breaker. In any case I wouldn't let this problem go on much longer for safety reasons.

tell him I am going to have it repaired, pay for it, and take it off your rent. Why should you have to wait if he isn't willing to do it. And it could very well be dangerous.  
Good luck

Call landlord ask about problem,be nice and record it all.Go get paperwork from provincial building and be persistant...Always record ur calls with landlord to cover ur butt and to catch all the lies and excuses.may need it for court if it comes to that good luck...

Bluebell said "I would talk to someone at the Residential Tenancy Branch. They are there to help you mediate with your landlord, and vice versa. "

This is your best bet, you will get the legal advice you need. They also will contact for you and deal with this landlord, good luck on this. =)

L_H said "Can a landlord just chose to not repair essential things around the rental property or are they legally obliged too? We rent an older house and last July (yes almost a year ago) some electric outlets in the kitchen stopped working and we have asked them numerous times if it could be fixed. For the longest time the request just got ignored but when it came to re-signing the lease earlier this year they finally acknowledged it and promised to fix it yet it's been almost two months yet again and nothing!! Rent gets payed on time, We keep the house in excellent condition, and we're quite & clean. I don't think this is asking a lot. Short of moving out (which we don't want to do, as we love the house) we're not sure how to handle this. I want to keep the peace with the landlord but also very Fed Up with this Sh$&!!! "

I too rent an older building, but love the heritage of it - but when things are not working, I have been told to file a Request for Repair at the Residential Tenancies office. It is located on the main floor, Provincial Building, Brandon.  
 
Make sure you keep a copy for yourself - and then the Rentalsman office will enforce this action be done - sadly alot of us want to keep the peace with our Landlord, but at times, we have to step forward and do it as business, not personal. Hope that helps.

you try to fix it yourself? Is there power going to the circuit? is there power at the box? it is probably a simple fix so look into it, if it isn't a simple fix then yes it could be dangerous and worth a fight with your landlord.

That's bad bad bad! If the OP has no electric training or proper tools that's not an easy fix. Add in it could go against safety and a billion other things BAD. However checking out the tenancy branch and reading will give the OP the correct info.

You talk to your landlord lately?

RainaRo said "That's bad bad bad! If the OP has no electric training or proper tools that's not an easy fix. Add in it could go against safety and a billion other things BAD. However checking out the tenancy branch and reading will give the OP the correct info. "

What does "go against safety and a billion other things BAD" mean?  
 
Checking the breaker and running a test light does not require an electrician. If you feel it does then be happy to pay for it.

RainaRo said "That's bad bad bad! If the OP has no electric training or proper tools that's not an easy fix. Add in it could go against safety and a billion other things BAD. However checking out the tenancy branch and reading will give the OP the correct info. "

I sure would not tamper with it - maybe I would check the fuse box, flip the switch on it if it is clicked off - but to tamper with it in any way, could make the Landlord blame the tenant for ruining his electrical - nah - go to the Tenancy office, get your Request for Repair document, fill it out, and file it with the Tenancy Branch. Let them deal with the Landlord. Sadly it takes a paper trail sometimes, to get things done.