Deep-fryer drama between B.C. roommates ends in $70 payout | Daily Hive

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A dispute between roommates at the BC Civil Resolution Tribunal featured some wild accusations that didn’t necessarily end in a hefty payout.

The applicant in the case, KL, said that his former roommate, EO, “smoked” the apartment by frying his food at high heat with cooking oils in a deep fryer, among other accusations.

KL said that the smoke and particulate matter caused him health issues and claimed $600. He also alleged that the roommates’ behaviour forced him to move out, costing him $4,400 in moving fees, damaged property, emotional distress and other issues.

EO denied all claims against him, saying that the events happened a long time ago and that KL chose to move out. He argued that KL wasn’t entitled to any compensation.

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KL posted an ad for a roommate in December 2021. It was a two-bedroom apartment, and the ad said that the roommate would pay $850 plus utilities. KL would pay $900 for the bigger room and also had his son with him.

EO responded to the listing nearly two weeks later. On Dec. 19, 2021, both parties signed into a tenancy agreement with the landlord, both agreeing to pay a combined $1,750. The tenancy began on Jan. 1, 2022.

The tribunal decision notes that throughout the tenancy, both parties disagreed about various things. KL informed the landlord that he would be moving out after Dec. 15. After KL and his son moved out, EO remained in the rental apartment.

KL alleged that EO “acted badly” during the rental. Some of those alleged behaviours included EO smoking weed on the balcony, cooking at high heat “with oils”, watching TV after quiet hours, inviting people over, not cleaning, damaging cookware and other accusations. KL said when he first moved in, EO was smoking weed in the bathroom with his friends, moving to the balcony after he complained. KL also alleged that EO smoked weed in his bedroom.

KL claims that only after he complained to the landlord did EO stop with the cannabis consumption.

The BC Civil Resolution Tribunal had a lot of evidence to sift through, most of which was submitted by KL.

The tribunal had to determine if any of EO’s behaviour relating to his cannabis consumption constituted a nuisance. After sifting through the evidence, the tribunal found no evidence to support that.

KL also alleged that EO prepared his food by deep-frying it at high heat using cooking oils and that the exhaust fan in the kitchen was not designed for such activities. He also said his clothes sometimes smelled like cooking fumes.

According to the tribunal, KL went as far as to provide calculations on “how big he says the stove’s exhaust fan should have been for adequate air flow. I find these calculations are opinion evidence and subject matter outside ordinary knowledge.”

The tribunal found that KL wasn’t able to prove he was entitled to compensation for EO’s smoking and cooking methods.

To support his claim that his roommate disturbed him after quiet hours, KL provided some videos of EO watching TV, including one taken at 11:43 p.m. The tribunal decision notes that EO could be heard “watching sports.”

The tribunal determined that EO’s viewing habits weren’t a nuisance.

There was one point at which the tribunal did side with KL, awarding him some damages for it. KL provided five pictures showing damaged cookware, including a frying pan with “caked-on grease and a charred pot.”

KL provided some prices from Amazon for the cookware, and the tribunal determined that EO owed $70 for the damaged items. EO was ordered to pay that amount within 30 days of the decision.