Quote:
Originally Posted by niwell
And yeah, I think the first/last month's rent is a pretty good solution for both parties.
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I suppose that a tenant could force a landlord in a security deposit jurisdiction to "do it Ontario's way" by saying, on the first day of his last month, "I'm not paying this month, just apply my security deposit to it instead. Oh and BTW I'm leaving the apt behind me in perfect condition, so don't you dare sue me for anything."
Did I ever share my uncle's story with his Alberta security deposit on SSP? It's been many years, but I'm still pretty sure I can get all the details decently right from memory. My uncle was owner/landlord of a couple multifamily properties here, and also a master pipefitter by trade, so he temporarily went to the oil patch while the money over there was good. His Québécois buddies in his line of work over there warned him that he would NEVER be getting his security deposit back upon leaving, because all landlords always kept it regardless of the condition of the apt. My uncle being pretty stubborn swore he would. So he made sure the apartment was impeccable. The landlord still didn't want to return the deposit (she was clearly being dishonest at this point)...
... so he told her essentially "look, you know what, if I'm not getting my money back, I guarantee you I'll do just enough gratuitous damage to the apt that you won't come off ahead financially anyway. (Say the deposit was $1,000, well, he pointed out he was experienced enough at landlording to do about just under $1,000 worth of vandalism (technically "normal wear and tear") before giving the keys back, and still be on the right side of the law.)
Using that tactic, he managed to get at least half his deposit back, a win win situation for the landlord too (better to keep $500 than to keep $1,000 and have $1,000 of damage to the apt) and he won the bet with the guys (who were sure he wouldn't be getting anything back).
Would that work in Japan, you think...?
Anyway - obviously stories like this make the Ontario way pretty appealing from an unbiased POV. As a landlord myself, of course I'd rather have the most rights and protections if possible, but I'm reasonable enough to know where the line should be drawn for the greater good. I'd be thrilled if Quebec wanted to start allowing landlords to hold a month's worth of rent to be applied to the last month of the lease - I think I might even consider voting for the PLQ if they promised that