B.C. landlord refuses renter’s parents entry on move-in day leading to tense situation
A B.C. renter who agreed to rent a room in a landlord’s home for four months while attending university found herself seeking justice at the BC Civil Resolution Tribunal (BC CRT).
According to a BC CRT dispute posted online, when the renter arrived on move-in day, she was joined by her parents, and the landlord allegedly refused entry to the renter’s parents.
The CRT dispute suggests that there was a tense argument and that, afterwards, the renter and her parents left. The renter ended up not moving into the home and claimed $550 for the return of her security deposit.
In response, the landlord claimed she was justified in denying entry to the renter’s parents and that the renter breached the agreement by refusing to move in.
The landlord filed a counterclaim, claiming that the renter damaged her reputation by reporting her to the university’s off-campus housing Facebook group. She claimed $4,400 for lost income and $550 for “wrongful garnishment of wages” after the CRT issued a default order against her.
In June 2024, it was actually the renter’s mother who responded to a Facebook post from the landlord about a room rental. On Aug. 14, the renter and her mom met the landlord and viewed the house. Afterwards, the renter signed an application to rent the room. A formal tenancy agreement was signed on Aug. 21 and 22. The renter agreed to pay $1,100 per month for a term from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024.
The two parties agreed on a move-in time of 4 p.m. on Sept. 1. On that date, at around 3:30 p.m., the renter texted the landlord because she and her parents were stuck in traffic, informing the landlord that they’d arrive around 4:30 p.m.
The landlord said she needed to leave the house by 5 p.m. The renter said they’d arrive by 4:45 p.m., to which the landlord responded that they needed to leave by 4:50 p.m.
The renter arrived at around 4:45 or 4:50 p.m. The landlord admitted she wouldn’t allow the renter’s parents to help their child move in because the house had other tenants, including a young student.
“She was not comfortable allowing additional adults inside when she was not present,” the tribunal decision notes.
The tribunal decision does not specifically detail what transpired during the argument, aside from stating it was “tense.”
The tribunal found that the landlord breached the contract by denying entry to the renter’s parents. The tribunal added that a “reasonable person” would’ve perceived the landlord’s behaviour as an indication she didn’t intend to follow the tenancy agreement’s terms.
Ultimately, the landlord was ordered to pay the B.C. renter $700, including $550 in debt for the deposit, and the rest in tribunal fees. The landlord’s counterclaim was dismissed.