A bit of personal news
My landlady waited till 1 hour before the deadline before issuing her rent increase for July 1.
Also, I was laid off my job (the entire shop shut down) two weeks ago, I made an error while applying for EI and was given a canned message saying I would get no benefits unless I phone in. It is currently impossible to phone in.
How is your day going?
Anonymous Coward 11:39 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
She may have been hesitating about how to handle it, given the current uncertainty.
The federal emergency package made things easier for us. For technical reasons, our tenants got their full rent increases on their usual schedule. We also asked our tenants to talk to us if their financial situation changes. We can be unofficially flexible.
It’s possible that your landlady would be more open to discussing an unofficial rent holiday than scrapping the rent increase entirely. Talk to her. If that isn’t encouraging, refuse the rent increase.
You heard me: I’m a landlord. I instruct you to refuse the rent increase!
She’s looking after her interests as best she can; it’s up to you to look after yours. Your interests aren’t incompatible. You’re a good tenant and she wants to keep you. She would also like to maintain the value of her property. But she would rather keep you than try to find a new tenant in these unknown times. So refuse the increase.
Tee Owe 11:50 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
Geez Kate I wish I could help in some way other than electronic handholding – I hope something comes through for you
DeWolf 12:09 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
At this point would it be more useful to apply for the CERB? Or would that not work because you’re already in the EI system?
Hope everything works out! At the very least remember you’re not alone in this.
Kate 12:36 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
DeWolf, every time I get the recorded message saying call volumes are too high, I’m reminded I’m not alone in this! But thanks all for supportive words.
Anon1984 13:30 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
What a shitty move! I think all pending EI applications automatically move to CERB..just make sure you’re registered with CRA (if not already)..got a text from my landlady yesterday afternoon saying “it’s that time of the year rent renewal/increase!” At least no happy face emoji attached..Still haven’t received email with new lease..B.C. and Manitoba have frozen all leases hopefully Quebec will follow (closed my shop of 23 years last week don’t know when I’ll be able to reopen)..your website is keeping me sane Kate, thanks again!
Ephraim 14:07 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
I have no EI. I have no real coverage for anything at the moment. I’m not even sure I qualify for anything, since I’m not really paid a salary and even if I was, I wouldn’t be eligible for EI since I’m self employed. My mortgage is still taken each week and I have no income to help pay for it. Nothing.
Dhomas 14:27 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
I’m a landlord and I did not increase the rent this year. One of my tenants wrecked his bathroom and mine last year by negligently leaving the water on in the bath, so I had planned to increase the rent to help cover the renos. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it in the current situation. He’s also a single father of two who lost his wife 2 years ago, which also played into my decision. Still not sure if I made a mistake…
Anon1984 14:31 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
Ephraim you should register with CRA, then when they roll out the CERB you can apply, I’m pretty certain everyone including all self employed will be eligible (I’m hoping)
EmilyG 14:31 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
I haven’t been paid yet for my main job, so I think one of my accounts might be overdrawn. And I just paid rent, so I think my other account may also be overdrawn.
And I have cash and cheques I can put into the bank, but I can’t go to any banks and don’t have mobile apps for anything.
If I could just get the right money into the right places, I’d be okay, but the pandemic makes that a little challenging.
Tim S. 15:08 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
Kate: Patreon?
Dhomas: You didn’t make a mistake. Everything helps.
Anon1984: I know your handle is anonymous, but as someone who shops everyday on Monkland (in normal circumstances) I’d be happy to support your shop in future (unless it’s one of the hair salons or something, in which case..)
Kevin 15:42 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
@EmilyG
If you’ve got your banking info at home you should be able to log into your accounts. Every major bank has online logins. Many still have logins by phone.
You can also get set up with one of the online-only banks for a no-fee daily chequing account. (I use Tangerine) You can deposit cheques by taking a photo, and then you can transfer those funds to your other bank accounts.
qatzelok 15:52 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
Me too.
No revenue coming in.
No way to call anyone or visit anything. Meanwhile, on David Geffen’s yacht:
https://twitter.com/nycsouthpaw/status/1243886478729633792
JaneyB 15:53 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
Your landlady’s late increase notice suggests she was hesitant. I suggest you fully lean on her reluctance. Odds are she will cave.
A fall-back option for you is to suggest adding the increase on after 1st September. A third option could be to suggest backpaying the amount of the increase between now and September but only when things normalize (probably by September). Don’t start with that option though. She may have considered doing the increase after covid but wasn’t sure if she could start that if she didn’t file now so she may be just fine with delaying it for a few months. Tactically, you could assume that was her plan, giving her a face-saving out and she will probably agree to a delay because most people hate confrontation, especially about money.
Matt 16:18 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
+1 on Tim’s Patreon suggestion. I don’t have a sense for how long I’ve been benefiting from the work you’ve put into this site, but it’s been a long time. I’m lucky enough to still have a job and I’d gladly subscribe to a Patreon or similar to help cover your costs and support the work you’re doing, Kate.
Douglas 17:05 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
Throw up ads on this site and get some money.
Don’t starve yourself.
Kevin 17:41 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
Kate,
Good luck.
Dhomas 18:55 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
Just a note about actually going through with refusing a rental increase, based on Anonymous Coward’s recommendation. It costs 78$ plus time to file an application with the Régie du logement. I usually try to be reasonable and keep my annual increase close to that amount. Either my tenants pay me the extra, or they pay it to the Régie.
GC 19:43 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
Sorry to hear that, Kate. You should definitely put up a Patreon or some other way to get some money back from this site.
Nic 19:48 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
+1 on the Patreon suggestion
Kate 23:17 on 2020-04-01 Permalink
Thanks all for kindly words. I may do the Patreon thing soon.
Alison Cummins 01:05 on 2020-04-02 Permalink
@Dhomas,
Kate refuses the increase. (The landlady should provide her a form to do that when she sends the notice of the increase.) Kate does NOT have to go to the régie. or open a file. She just uses the form and refuses.
If the landlady really wants the increase she can ask the régie to decide on a fair increase. The landlady will pay to open the file, but if the régie finds the increase was reasonable they can ask Kate to pay the fee. Or the landlady can figure she tried but it’s obviously not a good time, accept the reality that an increase is not going to happen this year and not open a file.
Hervé 04:35 on 2020-04-02 Permalink
I would definitely chip in on Patreon.
Ian Rogers 08:17 on 2020-04-02 Permalink
I too would chip in on Patreon.
I am lucky enough to have been assigned some adult ed classes last minute, I thought I would be walking into this lockdown without EI eligibility too… Good luck to all of you caught in a bind, I both sympathize and empathize.
Rebecca 09:41 on 2020-04-02 Permalink
+1 to the Patron from a long-time lurker, rarely poster.
Also, Kate–if you have a resume on linked it — put it somewhere your visitors can find. Some of us are still working and a (very) few places might still be hiring, but mostly through reference.
ant6n 11:37 on 2020-04-02 Permalink
+1 (previously on wrong thread)
Patrick 13:18 on 2020-04-02 Permalink
+1 on Patreon.