Evicted due to Privacy Screen

[tramsay]

https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/4 ... ony#407779

Reading this article I find myself frustrated. If this is the entire story, and entirely truthful, then it is yet another example of property management or a strata-employed property manager going out of their way to make life difficult for people.

I am so thankful that my property manager and I are on good terms. I have a dog who regularly digs up parts of the little dirt area in the common property part of our condo backyard, and rather than evicting me or fining me, he just gives me notifications when there are issues, and I do my best to resolve them. He even turned a blind eye to me installing a bit of aluminum wire fencing along the back section to keep her out of the dirt area, because he recognizes that it mitigates damage and saves us all a headache.

But then we have folks like this manager, who are targeting a couple due to a privacy screen. What bothers me the most is that now it will be brought before the RTB, and will most likely be ruled in the tenant's favor. I highly doubt that a privacy screen is a material clause in their lease, and the property manager is going to have a hard time proving why this warrants an eviction with only one month's notice. The RTB will most likely rule the concerns trivial and unfounded, and it will be a huge waste of people's time.

[Patron]

the Property Manager will lose in an instant and it's these types of disputes that clog the already plugged full system

[trrs]

Had the opposite take from this article. Some flags you should consider.

Cardboard boxes? Sounds like after they were told to remove whatever ugly screen they used, they started to play games.

They were offered another unit that I assume wasn't on the sunny side, yet claim "We have no where else to go".

Most condo units have pretty strict rules on what your deck can be used for and what can be stored on it such that it maintains a uniform look of the building.

You only got one side of the story.

[Patron]

Had the opposite take from this article. Some flags you should consider.

Cardboard boxes? Sounds like after they were told to remove whatever ugly screen they used, they started to play games.

They were offered another unit that I assume wasn't on the sunny side, yet claim "We have no where else to go".

Most condo units have pretty strict rules on what your deck can be used for and what can be stored on it such that it maintains a uniform look of the building.

You only got one side of the story.

still not enough cause for eviction, they could have been fined first, it is incredibility hard to evict someone in this low vacancy rate crisis

[rustled]

I see the other side of the story, too.

When what's on that side of the building is making the couple uncomfortable - too much traffic noise, dirt and sun - contravening the rules and fighting to stay there anyway seems silly and going to the news about it even sillier.

[77TA]

I see the other side of the story, too.

When what's on that side of the building is making the couple uncomfortable - too much traffic noise, dirt and sun - contravening the rules and fighting to stay there anyway seems silly and going to the news about it even sillier.

Agreed. They were offered a different unit as a solution and declined. Case closed and not news worthy.

[Fancy]

Was the privacy screen non-flammable? Knowingly putting flammable material on the deck sounds like the tenants weren’t very sympathetic to the rules for all.

[Patron]

I see the other side of the story, too.

When what's on that side of the building is making the couple uncomfortable - too much traffic noise, dirt and sun - contravening the rules and fighting to stay there anyway seems silly and going to the news about it even sillier.

I can understand the not wanting move part as moving even though it's not far costs $$ and you have to unpack and set up your home all over again and if your older and not in great health it might not be an easy thing to do. Yes I do agree that many condos have these types of rules, some won't allow any coloured curtains, white backing only, some don't allow window a/c's etc, but usually the first way to resolve the issue if the Tenant won't abide by the rules is fine them

[Fancy]

They may have been fined. Haven’t heard both sides.

[PoplarSoul]

"No matter how flat you make a pancake, it's still got two sides." - Dr Phil

From article:
"It was just to protect my eyes from the glare of the light coming off the windshields or at night from the lights of the cars because I have had three surgeries to my left eye. It has glaucoma," Kevin said.

If the light bother them so much spend money on blackout curtains.

[voice of reason]

i would love to have a screen like that . the sun fries my plants every summer as i have a glass panel instead of railings . as soon as it hits 30+ it is just a giant magnifying glass . our building doesnt allow it though . nothing is alllowed on decks except patio furniture and plants . i used to think that was dumb but i look over at the building at the end of the block and people have their bikes and winter tires out there. some have stacks of rubbermaid containers etc . the rules are there for a reason . they might be inconvenient but its better than looking at everybodies junk. i think a privacy screen should be allowed but i dont make the rules .also buildings would love to get rid of people so they can get new tenants at a massively increased rent

[Patron]

i would love to have a screen like that . the sun fries my plants every summer as i have a glass panel instead of railings . as soon as it hits 30+ it is just a giant magnifying glass . our building doesnt allow it though . nothing is alllowed on decks except patio furniture and plants . i used to think that was dumb but i look over at the building at the end of the block and people have their bikes and winter tires out there. some have stacks of rubbermaid containers etc . the rules are there for a reason . they might be inconvenient but its better than looking at everybodies junk. i think a privacy screen should be allowed but i dont make the rules .also buildings would love to get rid of people so they can get new tenants at a massively increased rent

just curious does your strata allow large cedars in pots ? my friend who lives in a condo wanted a privacy screen too, tried blinds, nope, this type of white plastic railing cover, nope, those plastic vine things that you can buy, nope, so they got 4 large cedars and put them in pots and their strata at first said no and they said well the rules allow plants and these are plants and that was it, they could keep the cedars

[DebSS]

I agree with Voice Of Reason above. My daughter has one on her deck in a rental unit. Bought it at Rona for 40 bucks. They did theirs for privacy as people across were looking at their balcony, watching their moves. They had no privacy sitting outside. They are on a 5th floor. Looks really nice and ties on with velcro straps. Their management that is a stickler for everything has not bothered them. A unit down from them put up the trellis with the fake plant on it. Again no issues. They do look nice. Think this rental unit company is using it as a way to get them out of that unit for some other reason. Give them a different unit and charge more for the one they are in. If you drive by some buildings the decks are covered in items. So why not hide it and make the building look good. There is more to this story than just a privacy screen issue.

[alanjh595]

What about using roll-up, bamboo blinds?
They are only down when required.
They are cheap to buy.
They are easy to install.
AND they are easily hidden, when not in use.
https://www.google.com/search?q=roll+up ... e&ie=UTF-8

[Hmmm]

I have Glaucoma and need to block sun.... I move to sunny side of building because I like it. I want to change rules to benefit me because of my eye issues. me me me me me ..... Stupid me. Make decisions that will best work for you I say and not try to change things after you made the wrong choice. Again blaming others for our own issues.