That was stressful

[mbarrick]

I'm shaking at the moment.

A few weeks ago the superintendent warned us that they going to be sealing up all the bay window openings except one. I told her in no uncertain terms that I was not going to cooperate. A couple days ago we got the notice that they were coming to do the work, so I have been working at home today waiting to defend my apartment. The workmen just came by. I told them, "No." They protested that I legally had to let them in. I told them that I've read the Residential Tenancy Act and no, I wasn't going to let them in. Tempers started to rise. They said that it was a liability problem and that if someone fell out of my window it would be my problem. Well no shit. If someone slips in my bathroom and cracks their head open, that's my fault too. Will the landlord be sealing my bathroom door, too? I'm not going to be sealed into a glass and brick bubble for the sake of hypothetical clumsy guests. If it is my liability I accept it. What's next? Am I going to have to bind the hands and feet of all my guests, have them wrapped in bubble wrap and rolled in on a dolly lest they stub their toes, catch their fingers in a door or bump into a wall? No. Enough. This isn't the straw that broke the camels back, this is a whole damn bale of hay. No more "improvements". No more "renovations".

Maybe if I had received acknowledgement for the letter I sent three months ago about the inconveniences and loss of use of areas of the apartment I might have been a bit more cooperative. If I had received the refund I requested for the inconveniences to date I'd have been a lot more cooperative.

I told the workmen that they can make the changes after I move. I told them it wasn't their fault, they don't know what all has gone on since the fire, but, sorry, they were not coming in. Eventually they got tired of arguing with me and moved on to ruin one the apartments upstairs instead.

If Elaine and I get evicted for this, then so be it. I don't want to live in an apartment where the windows don't open.

Comments

[tricksterpants.livejournal.com]

I honestly can't believe you guys have even stayed there this long after the fire. I probably would have hung around for a little while longer if I hadn't been offered a room in a house with a couple of my friends, but I was definitely ready to get away from the smell of smoke. There was anywhere from a one to two inch gap beneath the base boards in my room and all the smoke that had gotten inside the walls just absolutely reeked, so even though the restoration crew had been in and cleaned everything there was still this underlying smell. Not to mention the noise from the top floor and the bits of stuff that fell between the walls and down the old dumbwaiter shaft and the constant dust. The ongoing "improvements" that you guys have put up with seems ridiculous to me. I don't know if any apartment is worth all that stress. The fact that we received a half month's rent compensation for all this shit is also quite ridiculous, and from what I gather they have not compensated you any further for all the hassle you've since had to deal with. I aso couldn't stay partly because of the psychological effects of knowing that one night when I came home my house was on fire. Every time I was on my way home or heard sirens I got really anxious and I was tired of being freaked out. Good luck in dealing with the landlord on this one.

[mbarrick.livejournal.com]

The smoke remediation that they did actually worked quite well. Mind you this apartment suffered almost as little damage as the one I was living in at the time. Elaine and I moved into this one because it was "done" and the one above was largely undamaged and "done" as well. We had a choice between this one or the identical one above and picked this one to stay away from the noise on the 4th floor.

I didn't so much mind what restoration work still needed to be done in the common areas. It's all the unnecessary stupidity that has entered into this apartment that has me fed up.

The real cincher was when we found out the two guys in #7 (with the giant dog) have been refusing *all* the work since the initial post-fire cleaning.

[miss-tease.livejournal.com]

that's unbelievable. I don't blame you for being pissed off. Maybe you should move... you guys have had so many problems with that place. As for your landlord not acknowledging your letter from months ago, I go through that too. It's not cool.

[mbarrick.livejournal.com]

Yeah. It's been this constant balance in my mind between putting up with one more stupid thing vs. the pain in the ass of moving. Well, the line has been crossed.

I know my rights. I've read the Residential Tenancy Act, consulted with the Tenants Rights Action Coalition and the Legal Student Legal Advice Progam. The landlord may enter for a "reasonable purpose" like showing the apartment to potential tenants after we have given notice. Sealing up the windows for no good reason is not reasonable. If they have a problem with us not allowing these unnecessary renovations they can give us the required two months notice to kick us out for renovations.

totally ousider point of view

[agentdanak.livejournal.com]

i would think that if there'd already been a fire, they would want the windows *unsealed*, just in case. you know, as an extra evacuation route.

just my random thought.

but no, i agree. i would never let my landlord seal my windows. that's just a claustrophobic psychosis waiting to happen.

Extra fire escape route makes sense to me.

[valerian.livejournal.com]

They recently replaced our balcony railings with higher ones because apparently people have been falling off balconies that had a 3' high railing, and that's a really important common occurrence, or something (yeah, whatever). Now it's the windows people are supposed to be falling out of. You know, I can't remember the last time I heard of someone accidentally falling out of their living room window, but I guess someone is trying to convince the building inspectors that this is a frequent event. I'll have to keep a watch on the neighborhood from now on for all these people suuposedly falling out of their windows. LOL!

Re: Extra fire escape route makes sense to me.

[mbarrick.livejournal.com]

In the 95 years this building has stood here I wonder if anyone has ever accidentally fallen off any of the balconies or out any of the windows.

No only that, but if the liability is ours if someone does, why should the landlord give a rat's ass?

Re: Extra fire escape route makes sense to me.

[sovietnimrod.livejournal.com]

I totally agree about the fire escape - when I lived in my apartment, made sure that I was not too high up to survive a jump out of my windows. I even tested them to make sure I could get out in a jiffy. Got wierd looks from my neighbours jumping out of all my windows.

Re: totally ousider point of view

[mbarrick.livejournal.com]

No doubt on that. Since the fire I have kept a rope in the bedroom for the sake of emergency, should the path to the fire-escape be blocked. I'd rather not have to smash a window and climb through glass to use it.

[bitogoth.livejournal.com]

i don't blame you in the least- it's as if they're taking everything that was worthwhile about living in that building and trying to make it like the glass towers surrounding it. and it's not like you're 12 stories up either for fsck's sake! partly i blame the building owners but i think it systemic of a more widespread cause... no one wants to take responsibility. and if you're to be punished for being willing to take responsibility for yourself, your HOME, and your guests, then i don't know what the world is coming to.

heh, i think after that line i need to shake my cane at the 'darn kids on my lawn" or something...

[mbarrick.livejournal.com]

Quite right on every count.

Re: Wow, and I thought I was the only one going throught that.....

[kitsune-13.livejournal.com]

we live in South Granville area too..whereabouts blockwise are you?

We're at 6th & Granville.

Re: Wow, and I thought I was the only one going throught that.....

[mbarrick.livejournal.com]

And it is only going to get worse as the Olympics approach. It's stupid beyond belief. Not only are they still more than five years off, it is we locals getting fucked over in the cash grab that will still be here when it is all done. Remember Expo? That ran for six month. The Olympics last two weeks.

Dear Mr Barrik

[mediavictim.livejournal.com]

We hope you are pleased with the recent structural changes to the building. We hope to have the building turned into a Video Game Cliche within the next year.

We have done our best to reduce the POLYGON count on the outside of the building by reducing the detail level..we hope this will make the building render faster from the outside.

Internally we have had to increase the ammount of random misplaced damage to the walls to give it that "Texture artists trying to make a deadline" chic.

Please Note we are now sealing up the Windows and doors to make the Building experience more LINEAR
so players/tennants only have the Illusion that they can go where they want to but in reality can be efficently herded towards the chosen destination

Next we hope to add "failing lighting" effects
as we are Bidding to be the location to make MAX PAYNE 3 or Resident Evil 5 - the electircian will
also use this time to expose needlessly dangerous
wired into the flooded ground floor so you may JUMP , SWING, or CLIMB around the deadly trap.

We have been in contact with the SPCA and are planning to Aquire several vicious dogs to guard each floor. Each ascending floor will have a larger more vicious dog from Yorki to Rotweiller

Lastly we expect to have the needless swinging blades, the moat, and the Crushing hydralic press and the lazer turrents installed by Christmas.

And finally the Buzzer to get into the building will be replaced by a coin slot so people wanting to PLAY will have to insert a dollar.

Thank you for your time.


The Management

Re: Dear Mr Barrik

[tnkgrl.livejournal.com]

ROFL :) I make video games, so that was really funny.

Seriously though Michael, You made the rigth decision! And I don't see how you can get evicted because of something like that... But what do I know?

PS; Please do bind the hands and feet of all your guests, and have them wrapped in bubble wrap and rolled in on a dolly - sounds like fun to me :)

Re: Dear Mr Barrik

[tricksterpants.livejournal.com]

That ruled. I take it you've been there? Now what to do with the old dumbwaiter shaft... that's a plethora of potential hazards right there.

[mediavictim.livejournal.com]

No... thats the "SECRET AREA"...

We will fillit with Body armor , extra ammo , a Med pack and a mashed potato and turkey dinner "FOOD" to increase health

[ex-majesty337.livejournal.com]

wow... that really sucks. There luckey the two of you even bothered to stay there after the fire in the first place. Although I'm sure your apt. is nice, I would be looking into another nice place asap.

[mbarrick.livejournal.com]

No kidding. Other than a few long-term tenants, one of which died not long after, the building was all but empty for months.

[valerian.livejournal.com]

Yeah, well I've kept half an eye open up til now, but as I walk through the west end every couple of days, I will be taking note of any signs & subsequent phone numbers if the building looks at all appealing.

[seymour-glass.livejournal.com]

that sounds utterly pointless...i can't imagine what they are thinking...stand your ground...

[mbarrick.livejournal.com]

I intend to. I've put up with too much already.

[seymour-glass.livejournal.com]

no kidding you guys have gone through far more than is remotely reasonable...if they can't see your point then they don't deserve good tenants like yourselves...i live in a seven story building and all the windows here open...haven't heard of anyone falling out of any of them yet...

[ladyvermath.livejournal.com]

Good god! and good for you! Stand your ground. I hate bullies. I am very sorry to know that what you were hoping for is so disastrously falling apart. I'll keep my eyes open over here if you like. I know a few months a go there was a plethora of 2 bedroom spaces for rent.

But of the off chance that you may have to move again you can count on Z and I to pitch in and lift more than just beer! :-)

[sovietnimrod.livejournal.com]

I guess its redundant to ask if you've already filed a complaint with the Residential Tenancy Branch?

If not, why not file a complaint against your landlord so that they see that you are serious and mean business. A lot of these landlords get away with more than they should because too many tenants either don't know their rights or are too lazy to do anything about them.