Alberta Flood Watch 2013

[firebug]

Anyone else hearing compromised water quality chatter? From a legitimate source?

I've started to hear a few things from connected individuals, but not from official sources (and this isn't regarding the smell, look etc that we've all experienced).

[jar_e]

Originally Posted by firebug

Anyone else hearing compromised water quality chatter? From a legitimate source?

I've started to hear a few things from connected individuals, but not from official sources (and this isn't regarding the smell, look etc that we've all experienced).

The mayor stressed again in his presser earlier this morning there is no risk or concern for Calgary drinking water.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Ashee

So I was supposed to move out of my condo (I'm renting) by June 30th and a new tenant was scheduled to move in July 1st. Now, it's physically impossible for me to move out (and for someone to move in) by the 30th as it looks highly unlikely that we will be let back into the building before the month ends - is anyone familiar with the laws in this regard? Am I on the hook for the rent from July 1st on until I can get my things out?

I sure as hell wouldn't write them a check. The other guy shouldn't either.

If you can't even get into the apartment, you shouldn't be paying rent.

[ranchlandsselling]

Originally Posted by jar_e

The mayor stressed again in his presser earlier this morning there is no risk or concern for Calgary drinking water.

Someone needs to serve him a glass of Calgary water Erin Brockovich style (but have him drink it).

[Swift]

There's an outside water ban? I guess nobody tolld Kellam Berg Engineering and Surveys Ltd., 5800 1A St SW who had their sprinkler going this morning.

[Shaggin Wagon]

Originally Posted by Bunk

It's not owned or controlled by the City. Aspen Properties is the owner - I expect they have more pressing concerns at a lot of their buildings right now. Hopefully soon though.

My Co-workers in Calgary work out of the Palliser complex that is run by Aspen. We have heard the building will definitely be closed Friday. They should be back to work Tuesday.

I'm jealous of their 11 day weekend. I am not jealous of them being knee deep in S#!&. This has been a crazy week. My team of ten has been reduced to two. I moved to Edmonton last year and the other person is Vancouver. Work has been very frantic this week.

It sounds like at least four of the Calgary people have been doing clean up everday.

[REDVAN]

Originally Posted by Shaggin Wagon

My Co-workers in Calgary work out of the Palliser complex that is run by Aspen. We have heard the building will definitely be closed Friday. They should be back to work Tuesday.

I'm jealous of their 11 day weekend. I am not jealous of them being knee deep in S#!&. This has been a crazy week. My team of ten has been reduced to two. I moved to Edmonton last year and the other person is Vancouver. Work has been very frantic this week.

It sounds like at least four of the Calgary people have been doing clean up everday.

I work at this building, and I imagine many of my coworkers are very anxious to get back at work- heard the power is still out there, obviously.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by ranchlandsselling

Someone needs to serve him a glass of Calgary water Erin Brockovich style (but have him drink it).

He did that yesterday.

Now I suppose it could have been a ruse...

I gotta wonder though, do the benefits (whatever they may be) gained by lying about the water and telling a million people it's safe to drink outweigh the benefits (whatever they may be) of having us continue to drink unsafe water?

[Bob]

I wonder if now is a good time to be a water filter salesman.

[Jbo]

I have another rent question.

I have been evacuated from my unit sin last Thursday. We are probably looking at end of next week before we can get back in (According to the condo management company) Thus far 0 communication from our landlord despite being out for a week.

What are my rights here? Should we be paying on a place we can't live in? Should he not have contacted us by now? Do we have the right to break the lease if we chose?

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by J-bo09

I have another rent question.

I have been evacuated from my unit sin last Thursday. We are probably looking at end of next week before we can get back in (According to the condo management company) Thus far 0 communication from our landlord despite being out for a week.

What are my rights here? Should we be paying on a place we can't live in? Should he not have contacted us by now? Do we have the right to break the lease if we chose?

I believe I heard on the news last night that you are required to pay regardless, just like a mortgage.

However if your landlord wanted to they could give you a break on the rent, but that is up to them.

Have you made an effort to contact your landlord? They could also be in the same situation as you with their residence, so you might not be their first thought?

[photon]

Originally Posted by Ashee

So I was supposed to move out of my condo (I'm renting) by June 30th and a new tenant was scheduled to move in July 1st. Now, it's physically impossible for me to move out (and for someone to move in) by the 30th as it looks highly unlikely that we will be let back into the building before the month ends - is anyone familiar with the laws in this regard? Am I on the hook for the rent from July 1st on until I can get my things out?

You can call Service Alberta's consumer line at 1-877-427-4088 (I think that's who to call) to get their input on what the law says.

I wouldn't think you would be on the line.

Normally, If you haven't moved out the tenancy isn't over (even though it's not your fault, it might be up to you to either check with your insurance or apply for government aid if you have to pay extra rent until you can get out), you'd be responsible for rent.

Just like on the Landlord's side, he's obligated to have the unit available when the new tenancy starts, and if he can't the new tenant isn't obligated to pay rent (the new tenant can either end the agreement, or the landlord would be on the hook for costs while the tenant waits for access, like if they had to stay in a hotel for a few days).

But that's under normal circumstances though, because access to the premises is restricted because of things beyond anyone's control, different rules might apply.

I know that if a property is unintentionally destroyed or damaged beyond habitability then the rights and obligations of both the landlord and tenant are terminated, but the scenario you describe isn't a permanent situation I assume.

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

I sure as hell wouldn't write them a check. The other guy shouldn't either.

If you can't even get into the apartment, you shouldn't be paying rent.

Yeah if the landlord cannot provide access normally the tenant can walk away or sue the landlord for costs while they wait until the landlord can provide access, but because it's not the landlord preventing access I don't know if the situation is different.

If you phone and find out Ashee share what they say, I'm curious.

[cDnStealth]

Originally Posted by J-bo09

I have another rent question.

I have been evacuated from my unit sin last Thursday. We are probably looking at end of next week before we can get back in (According to the condo management company) Thus far 0 communication from our landlord despite being out for a week.

What are my rights here? Should we be paying on a place we can't live in? Should he not have contacted us by now? Do we have the right to break the lease if we chose?

I can only speak from my own experience. I was involved in that messy business in Fort McMurray where 7 condo buildings were evacuated and deemed structurally unsafe. I was given my rent and full deposit back. Even Shaw refunded me for my TV/Internet bill. That may be considered a different situation though. If you can't phsically get in there I would think that you'd have grounds to break your lease. At the very least, your landlord should have contacted you. That just seems like bad form.

[photon]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

I believe I heard on the news last night that you are required to pay regardless, just like a mortgage.

Yeah that makes sense to me, it wasn't the landlord's actions that made a property uninhabitable, and it's not permanent.

If it was some other kind of disaster that caused the problem the tenant could use their insurance to cover the costs of not being able to live at home, in this case I'm sure people will be able to apply for government aid.

[Kavvy]

Originally Posted by J-bo09

I have another rent question.

I have been evacuated from my unit sin last Thursday. We are probably looking at end of next week before we can get back in (According to the condo management company) Thus far 0 communication from our landlord despite being out for a week.

What are my rights here? Should we be paying on a place we can't live in? Should he not have contacted us by now? Do we have the right to break the lease if we chose?

First off, sorry, I know it must suck being evacuated, it can't be easy.

However, with no background at all on this subject, I would think you are still responsible for your lease, you should have to pay. You should also be able to possible get some of that funding coming in, but I don't know.

As for this:

Should he not have contacted us by now?

It takes two to tangle. Call him!

[jdso]

Originally Posted by The Goon

Apparently this guy thinks the water ban does not include washing your garage door:

Bunch of people feel the need to wash their cars as well.

[photon]

Originally Posted by cDnStealth

7 condo buildings were evacuated and deemed structurally unsafe

Yeah that's more a long term thing though, the buildings were uninhabitable for a long term until they could be repaired (or forever), in that case the landlord/tenant obligations are removed.

In this case it's just a matter of (relatively short) time until they clean it out and restore services.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by jdso

Bunch of people feel the need to wash their cars as well.

Car washes were specifically exempt from the water ban (because they treat the waste water). I need to wash mine too because with all the mosquitoes out the front looks like the Bugpocalypse

[Ashee]

Originally Posted by photon

You can call Service Alberta's consumer line at 1-877-427-4088 (I think that's who to call) to get their input on what the law says.

I wouldn't think you would be on the line.

Normally, If you haven't moved out the tenancy isn't over (even though it's not your fault, it might be up to you to either check with your insurance or apply for government aid if you have to pay extra rent until you can get out), you'd be responsible for rent.

Just like on the Landlord's side, he's obligated to have the unit available when the new tenancy starts, and if he can't the new tenant isn't obligated to pay rent (the new tenant can either end the agreement, or the landlord would be on the hook for costs while the tenant waits for access, like if they had to stay in a hotel for a few days).

But that's under normal circumstances though, because access to the premises is restricted because of things beyond anyone's control, different rules might apply.

I know that if a property is unintentionally destroyed or damaged beyond habitability then the rights and obligations of both the landlord and tenant are terminated, but the scenario you describe isn't a permanent situation I assume.



Yeah if the landlord cannot provide access normally the tenant can walk away or sue the landlord for costs while they wait until the landlord can provide access, but because it's not the landlord preventing access I don't know if the situation is different.

If you phone and find out Ashee share what they say, I'm curious.

Thanks, I'll give that a try and provide an update if I can get an answer.

I haven't been able to get in contact with my landlord yet, so I just wanted to see if I can get an answer and know what I'm in for before having the conversation with him once I can get in touch. He still has my security deposit, so he'll likely just deduct the rent from that I'm assuming.

[cDnStealth]

Originally Posted by photon

Yeah that's more a long term thing though, the buildings were uninhabitable for a long term until they could be repaired (or forever), in that case the landlord/tenant obligations are removed.

In this case it's just a matter of (relatively short) time until they clean it out and restore services.

Sorry, that's what I meant. It would really depend on how severe the damage is. For instance, say you rented a basement and the whole thing had to be gutted and re-done.