My landlord guy is EVIL!!!!!!!

[Poetchick85]

All right, it's things like this that makes me feel like the world hates me. I am currently renting an apartment for 250 dollars a month. It's a very nice size, with two bedrooms. I am looking after two 15 year old girls who live with me, one of which is my sister. Yes, I realize I could just move somewhere else, but I won't be able to find a place cheaply. I cannot really afford it. Yes, I realize that there are many without homes, I am grateful for what I have, but It would be nice to have my home not suck so bad. Yes, I realize that the rent is very cheap. Very. However, there are a few problems. Lets start from the top.

1. The wiring is bad. It must be. Otherwise why would my hydro flicker all the time. Also why else would the hydro have gone out for almost 2 weeks in about 3/4s of my apartment.

2. It's a shit hole. It is. There are holes in the walls everywhere and the ceilings are unfinished. There are parts where you can actually see up into the attic. I don't really think I should be able to do that.

3. my stove. It does not work. I was told by my one friend, the electrician, not to use it . Why? The wires in the back are all fried and there was major evidence of arcing. I have not had the use of a stove for almost a month. I have also in the time since i have lived here, had the dryer die on me and the fridge freeze EVERYTHING.

4. there is no shower. that is fine, i mean bathes are all right. but it still sucks.

5. the floors are icky. yes, icky. they are heavily pitted and well, icky. I know its not the best rant in the world, but hey, that all I can think of right now

6. the landlord. Well, actually my building was taken over by a mortgage company, so their rep., however he is an ass. He has never shown up when he said he would, which would be fine If I didn’t have to work or to go to school full time. I mean, I would love to do nothing but wait all day for him to show up, well, why wouldn't I?

However, the icing on the cake was today. I walk in to my little home and there he is. In my kitchen, "fixing it". Notice the quotation marks, I put those there as I doubt he was "fixing it".
Oh, well, my stove works now, mostly, but now I have no hydro at all in my kitchen, expect for the damn stove. My poor little fridge has about 5 extension cords running all the way into the living room so that all of my food won't go bad. I haven't called him yet, I know I need to, but he is such an ass everything I talk to him.
I'm thinking of going to the rental tribunal. I realize that is rather weak, may not even belong in the pit, but hey, here it is. I also apologize for the rambling. I am rather unhappy right now.

[NurseCarmen]

What is hydro?

[Eve]

Good lord, can you move, dear? Doesn't sound like the place has a single redeeming feature.

[Fin_man]

Yes, what is hydro? Since hydro (to me) implies water, I'm sure it would screw up your wiring.

As for the baths, I believe you can get a hose that attaches to the tub spout and turns it into a shower. You can get a shower rod that is pressure-mounted so it won't damage the walls.

And as for seeing the insulation, that isn't good.

[Venoma]

hydro = electricity - at least in my part of canada.

[Antimanics]

Around here we called our electricty "hydro" because it comes Ontario Hydro.

[Poetchick85]

hydro is another name for electricity. I live in southern Ontario and that’s what I and others have always called it. Sorry for any confusion.
Fin_man we actually do have a hose thing, but it kinda sucks. Also, about seeing the insulation, there are a few parts where if someone was standing there, you could see them. I don't think this place is insulated very well.

I can't move. not really. I live here because I can afford it. I wouldn't be able to afford much else, besides, I have trouble getting places to live. Housing is hard to come by where I live, also very few people will rent to me, as i am only 18.

[Fin_man]

Originally posted by Poetchick85
I can't move. not really. I live here because I can afford it. I wouldn't be able to afford much else, besides, I have trouble getting places to live. Housing is hard to come by where I live, also very few people will rent to me, as i am only 18.

I'm sorry the place is such a crap-hole. Would you be interested in looking into picking up a do-it-yourself book and spending some time (and hopefully very little money) fixing what you can? I know, you shouldn't have to but it could make things nicer.

On another note, we have a 18-year old (and I'm assuming female) living with her 15-year old sister and another 15-year old. This could be verrrryyy interesting. STOP THAT!, you are a married man. You should not be thinking like that.

[Kalhoun]

You are living in a slum and your landlord is a SLUMlord. There has to be some sort of regulation that has to be followed. Can you look into welfare? This is not a good environment for any of you. I've lived in some pretty crappy places, but yours sounds much worse. Make some calls. There has to be SOMETHING out there that you can afford.

[byter]

250 canadian? That place must be a dive. You really need to contact some agencies that can help you and your charges get some better lodging. From what little you have shared, it sounds like you have little to no family (estranged?). If you were in the US, I could probably give you a few places that may be able to help. Your situation sounds dire. I hope some of our Canadian friends can give you some ideas. I don't mean to pry, but it sounds strange that you are taking care of 2 minors and one of them is not related. This situation sounds like a disaster in the making. You definately need some help, and I don't mean that to be mean. I'm not sure what I can say or offer.

[Poetchick85]

Fin_man we have actually have done a lot of fixing up. We are still doing more. I'm lucky in that my dad lives in the same town and used to do construction. So he helps out with that sort of thing. However, my landlord guy does everything possible to make my life hell.
He has even broken into my apartment before, also he just drops in without calling, I’m pretty sure that’s against the law.

There is one other tenant in this building. We are both pretty sure that the company that owns this places wants us out. That way they can fix the places up and than charge 600-700 for rent. There’s a store at the bottom of the building that is empty. Right now they are losing a lot of money with this building.

[Poetchick85]

Alright, as to why I look after my sister, I have a lot of problems with my mom and her boyfriend. Trust me on that. I moved out ten days after I was 18. I have another 15 yr old living with me becasue her home life sucks too. I am on welfare and i get about 280 a month from them. I get child support from my dad, so the three of us live on about 600 a month. The one child i am not receving anything for. I'm trying to put her on my welfare check, but her mother dosen't want me to. I am also trying to get housing, but it takes about 3 to 4 months and i'm still waiting for my landlord to fill out a section. I am trying to get out of here, but it is hard. Besides, i am sure there are others out there that need it more than I do.

[Zabali_Clawbane]

Did you make sure he hadn't gone through your underwear drawers, and the rest of your stuff and stolen anything? That's the first thing I'd do, if I found a strange male in my house "fixing" things.

Isn't there a law, that says he has no right to enter your dwelling if you are not home? I'd write the incident down, and date it just in case. I'd also let a friend know what was going on. I hope he doesn't make this kind of thing a habit. Does his office know what he's been up to?

I'm remembering my friend who was 18 at the time, who had the same problem with her landlord. He ended up propositioning her, she turned him down, only to have him forcing his attentions on her again. She had to move because the pig was stalking her, and at that time, there were no anti-stalking laws in place. (Yes, it was over a decade ago.)

Good luck, I'll pray you find a quick resolution to this. ((Poetchick85))

[byter]

I think you may have bit off a bit more than you can chew. You may very well get in trouble for harboring a runaway. It might be true that the girls parents are aware of where she is, but you do not have legal custodianship of the girl and you are assuming responsibilities for her that you are not allowed to assume. It sound like you have found yourself a rough row to hoe, but it does sound like you have some very compelling reason to take that course. I hope other SDMB'ers have some better suggestions for you, right now I am at a loss since it sounds like you have already approached the agencies that are there for you.

[Kalhoun]

Is there any way your dad can help you guys? Like maybe move in with him?

[NurseCarmen]

Originally posted by Poetchick85
Besides, i am sure there are others out there that need it more than I do.

I admire your attitude, but think of it this way: It's not a hand out, it's a helping hand. Too many irresponsible people use and abuse it as a hand out, and too few people such as yourself, who seem honestly responsible and interested in moving forward, take advantage of it. Take full advantage of it before scumbags like this guy try to take advantage of you. Check into educational opportunities, grants, or scholorships. Food shelves, etc.

I'd much rather see a responsible person helping themselves up getting my money than a chronic loser. In my opinion, you need it more than they do.

[Poetchick85]

woah

I could be charged? I never knew that, at all. As to living with my dad, he has his own problems. Besides, my brother is moving in with him in a week. (my brother is 12 and sick of my mom as well)
He has a wife and a step child as well. He also has no room for me to move in, even so, i don't think I would want to. I remeber living with my dad, it was not fun.
Zabali_Clawbane , I hate that he just lets himself in, but I can't do much about it. It bothers me A LOT though

[Zabali_Clawbane]

I suggest this with hesitancy, because of all the "roomate from hell" stories I've heard. However, could you maybe get an apartment with a friend? (Have a backup emergency plan in case you end up out in the cold.) You'd be out of that situation, and into a better one. See if it's possible to have a roomate temporarily. Maybe someone who's in a similar situation, who would be willing to "pool resources" to get out of their nightmare too? It's a thought worth looking into at least.

Failing that, start documenting all the "incidents". I don't know what the law is in Canada, but here in the US, you'd probably be able to take legal action. If the company really is trying to run you out, then they need to be held responsible. They are causing you misery, just so they can eventually get fat wallets? That's bullshit! Start keeping a record, and see if you can consult a lawyer. Find a safe place, like at your dad's house to keep copies of your documentation, update the copied record regularly. Just in case the creep snoops and finds it.

You don't have to put up with the crap this creep is dishing out to you. The fact that you are poor does not mean you have to live in squalor that the landlord won't fix. I know, I'm poor myself. Stand up for yourself, don't sit there and take this. Keep a record, then get to a lawyer, there's free legal aid in Canada too, right? I might even go to a lawyer now, have them come to your place and see it for themselves.

Good luck, I'll pray.

[Poetchick85]

Zabali_Clawbane , you are a sweetie. Very much so. I don't know about a roommate, i've tried throwing the idea around before, and no one wanted to do somthing like that.
I am faxing stuff to the landlord, stating that there are problems i WANT taken care of. I don't know if I should get a lawyer, I mean what would I do with him/her? I will prolly be in court later this month, my neighbour is being evicted and he wants me there to be a witness for him as I have also exspeanced how much of an ass this guy is. Also, does anyone else find it stange that they only have the key for the apartment with young females in it?
They don't have a copy of my Neighbour's key, but they do mine.

[Zabali_Clawbane]

Yes, I find that very strange! Seriously, document this stuff, and look into legal aid, quickly. That's just not good, it alarms the hell out of me. I'd not sleep well in your position. Not well at all. Start keeping records, and give copies of them to your dad. Keep us updated too, ok?

[lezlers]

Unfortunately it's normal for a landlord (or a slumlord in your case) to have keys to tenents apartments.

You said you're a student. Is there a legal aid office on campus? A lot of campuses have those for students that need legal advice. I'd look into it.

I don't know about Canada, but in the U.S. it is very illegal for a landlord to enter your apartment without your permission. However, if you've asked for something to be fixed, they're allowed to enter, even if you're not there. That's what I was told when I came home and discovered my landlord had been in my apartment and called to complain.

Kudos to you for taking in the girls, and with you being so young yourself. You've taken on a mighty big load and there is absolutely NO shame in asking for help. Don't forget that.

Good luck.

[Poetchick85]

I am trying to keep records of everything. But for some reason i'm missing some pretty importamt papers. Perhaps I should hide everything in a differnt place. Everyone else is trying to stop me from doing what i am about to do, with the whole rental board thing. But i am so going to send a fax in the morning, and i'll also let them know that i want everything in writing. I don't this right now. grrr stupid exams

[Zabali_Clawbane]

Sounds like the creep has already snooped, and taken papers from you. Get to legal aid, have the lawyer take a look at your apartment, that should help "make your case" and prove you are not exaggerating. Count your panties, clean and dirty etc. too.

[alice_in_wonderland]

Poetchick - I think your sister should be getting her Family Allowance cheques forwarded to you - I assume they're still going to your mom - you should make arrangements to have this changed. (It's probably about $75/month at this point - it was $48 when I was 13 which is a LOOONG time ago.)

It will help out a bit. Secondly, can you or your sister get a part time job to help with extra funds? I'm not sure if you're allowed while receiveing social assistance, but your sister certainly could.

Any steps you can take to move out of this place are good ones.

Good luck.

[Poetchick85]

lezlers , i know a landlord should have my keys, but see, he doesn't have they keys for the aprament with men living in it, only for mine, the all girl place. Yes, I am a student, but, its at a highschool. I don't think they care much.

Also, alice_in_wonderland , i am not too sure what you mean by family allowance, but there is the child tax benefit. Only, in order for me to recive this, I think my mom has to give up all rights. Further more, it would be subracted from my wlefare check, so i would not be any further ahead. But I am pretty sure my mom is still getting money for mym sister, even though she is not living at home anymore. That is very much agianst the law, but hey, there ya go. Also about the part time job thing, I am trying to get a job, it is just hard to do so. Right now a lot of people who are better quailfed than me are also out of work, and one would assume they would get a job before me. My sister did have a part time job briefly, but anything she took the money and spent on herself.

[lezlers]

oh. I thought you were a college student. I bet if you visited a college campus they'd have one though. It's worth checking out at least. And yeah, it's weird that he doesn't have the key to the other apartments, but it's not illegal. Maybe you could change the locks and just "forget" to tell him? Then, you'll know exactly when he tried to enter your apartment without your permission and you can record it. If he asks you why, you could just tell him that you noticed someone had been in your apartment awhile back, and shuffled through your things. It made you feel unsafe so you changed the locks. Then he'd have to admit to being in your apartment without your permission as well.

I came home the other day and my front door was ajar. My landlord and myself are the only people that have keys to my apartment (I got my key back from my X but he's still a "suspect" in my mind because of other little things i've discovered), and I NEVER forget to lock and shut my door. They're doing foundation work to the house, so who knows who was in my apartment. Nothing was missing, but I felt violated nonetheless. Thank goddess my indoor cat was still there.

Anyways, I went down to Home Depot and bought new locks that night. I changed them and haven't given my landlord new keys. I'll wait until he asks, then I'll know if he tried to enter my apartment without permission, as I haven't asked him to fix anything. If he asks, I'll tell him that I came home and my front door was ajar.

I suggest changing your locks immediately. It's quite easy to do, it took me about 20 minutes. Do it today.

[sperfur]

This may sound strange, but have you considered buying your own place? You may not be able to afford much more than you have now, but all the time and effort you put into fixing it up will pay off to youwhen you sell it (instead of paying off for your landlord). Especially with interest rates the way they are right now...

It may be that you won't be able to afford to buy, but you'll never know until you sit down with a banker (or several bankers, if the first one won't work with you) and a real estate agent. When I bought my first place, many people told me that I was crazy and there was no way I'd be able to buy a home at my age and on my income - I lived there for 9 years and just sold that sucker for a $15,000 profit and purchased my second home for 2 1/2 times what I sold the first one for.

When I bought my first place, I went through 5 or 6 real estate agents before I found the right one. She cared about getting me the right place, helped me find better financing than I'd been about to find myself, and took care of all kinds of little details that would have stopped me in my tracks. She did it again when I bought the place I'm in now.

If this would be of interest to you, please let me know (in this thread - I haven't been checking my email since I just moved). I learned a lot when I bought my first home at the age of 21 and would be happy to share with you. The most important thing I'll tell you right now is not to sign anything (such as an exclusive contract with a realtor - you may need to try several to find the right one) or give anyone any upfront money until you've decided exactly what you want to do and mapped out a plan for how to do it. You don't want to be giving a bank $50 to run your credit report, then deciding later you'd rather be with a different bank, etc etc.

One more thing - I had more than one realtor tell me to call them back after I'd saved $3000 or so for a down payment - bullcrap. I bought my first home with $0 down. You just need to decide if it is the right thing to do for you and your family, then find the right players for your team to help you make it happen. Good luck!

[Mama Tiger]

Don't forget to take photographs of the problems in your place, especially the wiring. That sounds like a serious fire hazard, and should probably be reported to whatever authorities are responsible for code standards for electrical wiring.

Good luck, and I hope you can find some help. And like lezlers said, CHANGE YOUR LOCKS. Only takes a few minutes!

[Scuba_Ben]

IANAL and this is just a WAG, but is there something in tenancy law saying that the landlord HAS to maintain the apartment in livable condition? I expect that big gaping holes in the walls and ceiling, unsafe wiring, and stuff like that would be a MAJOR violation. Please check with a tenancy lawyer on this idea (and ask for better ones, too), I think you might be able to withhold rent to pay for making the repairs. YMMV.

Good luck. And find some local support services, especially community legal aid.

(Ob.Pit: This slumlord is an asshat!)

[Poetchick85]

Firstly, I would like to say thanx for everyone's replies.
It means alot to me to have people respond to what I have to say. Also, I handed in my housing application today, but the min. waiting time for a two bedroom is 6-8 months. And it may not even be in the area i would like.
anyways, sperfur that does sound kinda strange, i mean buying my own place, but interresting. I just don't know how I would be able to do so however. Plus, I may move to a larger town in a few years, I wouldn't want to be tied down, but than agian it would be nice to have a house.
lezlers , i have thought about changing the locks for serverl reasons, one being that he once broke in, claiming that he did not know anyone lived here, when he did that he screwed my poor door handle. Now my door lock is kinda sticky, like it won't work all the time.
hmmm it is a good idea to take some picutres of the problems, I just wish I took some picutres when I first found the place , so i would have proof of how much i all ready put into this place.
I'm not sure if i want to withhold rent, It could screw up my chances to get into housing.

[lezlers]

He broke in because he didn't know anyone was living there?

The fuck?

He's the landlord right? Didn't he rent the place out to you?

This all sounds WAY creepy and not at all right. Get thee to a lawyer, straightaway. There are some out there that will do pro bono work.

If he fucked up the lock, replacing it might fix it. He probably twisted something, disengage the lock, take off the screws and check it out. You might have to pry a piece or two out but you should still be able to replace it.

If not, call a locksmith and send the bill to the landlord.

[CritcalMass]

This site http://<a href="http://www.settlemen...rights.asp</a> contains important info, links and phone numbers that will force the landlord to act now.

An application to the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal costs $45 and can order the landlord to: (1) do the repairs (2) reimburse you for doing the repair yourself (3) refund some of your rent for the time the repairs were not done (4) let you move out without giving proper notice. Often times the lanlord will comply with your requests (as they did in my situation) before your case goes to Tribunal.

My advice is to build your case now. Take picutes of aforementioned defects, take statements from other tenants, and show that you've performed your due diligence by sending evil landlord a registered letter detailing what repairs are needed.

Good luck and hang in there!

[Poetchick85]

He came in yeterday to fix my kitchen, agian. I had to leave but appeartly he chatted with my sis. He told her that "I have a bad attuide", that "shit happens" and that "I need to get into the real world" . What an ass. Also, on my housing app. he basiclly said that I was a bad tennet. whatever
However, my sister agrees with him, so now she thinks that i am a bitch and that my landlord is the greatest thign like ever.
glah

[Larry Mudd]

Poetchick85, I've only skimmed the replies in this thread, but I haven't seen any links to appropriate legislation.

Here's the Landlord and Tenant Act.

The only circumstances in which your landlord may enter your suite without written notice are, a) in case of emergency, b) if your rental agreement requires him to clean your place at regular intervals (which sounds unlikely,) or c) if you've already agreed to terminate your agreement, he needs to show the suite, and he's made a reasonable attempt to give you notice.

You should also be aware that changing the locks will put you in violation of the act:

A tenant shall not alter the locking system on a door giving entry to a rental unit or residential complex or cause the locking system to be altered during the tenant's occupancy of the rental unit without the consent of the landlord.

I'm sure that if you give it a good pickover, you'll find plenty of ammunition in it. Your landlord sounds like a real prince.

[Bill H.]

Don't really have much to say for advice, but I wanted to say that I admire you for taking on such a heavy burdon at such a young age, caring for others who really need it, and have a wonderful attitude about "other folks needing help more." You'll go far. Which doesn't help much now, I know.

It sounds like you're doing all the right things: looking for another place, looking for additional financial support, fixing what you can by yourself or with your father. Hang in there. You're taking steps to make things better, and they will get there. It hasn't really come up, but be sure to finish your schooling.

[lezlers]

Well hot damn. Guess I better tell my landlord that I changed the locks when I get home tongiht.

D'oh!

:wally:

[Larry Mudd]

lezlers, I'm not saying she shouldn't change the locks, only that she should be aware of the law.

If she just wants to be sure no-one is rifling through her drawers until she can find a less fucked-up place to stay, it's probably a good option. If, on the other hand, she wants look towards a possible arbitration process, conforming to the letter of the law is a good idea. Scummy landlords also tend to be lying bastards-- without adequate documentation of the landlord's transgressions, he could easily make up some ridiculous story that makes him the wronged party. "I noticed suspiscious smells, and suspected these horrible, untrustworthy youths were operating a clandestine meth lab on my property. They've illegally locked me out of it, and I want them all out on their ass as soon as possible so I can get some less cranky, bigger-titte-- err, more responsible tenants in."

[Read_Neck]

I don't know what they're called in Canada but in the US that's a "firetrap" and a very dangerous one to boot.. Most municipalities have an electrical code and your OP has at least half a dozen violations. I don't want to alarm you but it's a very hazardous situation.

[lezlers]

Oh, I was calling myself a "putz" not you, Larry! Sorry if it came across that way!

[Larry Mudd]

No worries, lezlers-- clearly my sarcarsm-detector needs recalibrating. (Besides, with hindsight I thought my post needed a little clarification there, anyway.)

[Poetchick85]

I wanted to change the locks, and just "forget" to metion it, but i'm out of money.
blah
Bill H.
thanx for being a sweetie. I don't really think much of the fact that i'm looking after others, I just like to help people is all. I am trying to finish my high school, I just hate school alot right now ia all and have to go back for a 5th year, but i am trying.
I'm gonna try to get inshurance, so if the place does burn , $$$$$$$ for me!!!!!!
this place is covered with fire alarms, so if somthing were to happen, I'm sure people down the street would be able to hear.
hmmm I talked to a housing chick at the salvation army the other day, and she thinks I have no case, that I should Lie low and just wait . My stove stopped working today, BTW.

[Poysyn]

Poetchick85 I don't know if it goes by the same name, but in Manitoba we have a housing authority that maintains (usually) clean, nicer buildings that will charge you based on a percentage of what you make (here it's 27%, I think).

I would check into that with your provincial government, if they don't have that, they should have some sort of subsidy you can apply for.

As for the child tax benefit, it goes to whomever is the guardian of that child (as I understand it) because you claim it on your income tax.

[plain_jane]

I'm presuming you are in Woodstock, Ontario, by your location line.

There is subsidized housing available (Woodstock Housing it may be called--ask your welfare worker). One thing that will put you on the priority list is if your current residence is a health hazard or in very poor condition. If you live in a slum apartment, they will give you priority. Ask your welfare worker!!! If they won't help you, look in the yellow pages.

The landlord is acting completely inappropriately and your apartment is a disaster waiting to happen. I wish you the best of luck.

Also, being on welfare, I doubt you'd be allowed to purchase a home (or even qualify.) Subsidized housing is your best bet. In fact, it may even be cheaper than the $250 a month you are paying now! I was on welfare in Ontario a number of years back (receiving $520 a month) and I lived in subsidized housing and my rent was about $120 a month.

Another thing to consider is co-operative housing. Most offer subsidized units and the waiting list can be shorter. Just look up "co-op housing" in your yellow pages, or ask welfare or Woodstock Housing Agency. (Again, whatever it's called. That service was downloaded to the individual cities a few years back so I don't know anymore what it's being called.)

As far as child tax credit, welfare doesn't take all of it. They take a portion of it. For one child I believe you receive about $200 (in your income bracket). Welfare takes about $90 of that. So, you still get some.

You can call city hall to have an inspector look over your apartment. From my experience, they don't do anything (to your landlord) unless you formally file a complaint. So, someone can come out, tell you exactly what's wrong, and you can take it from there. And it's documentation.

The Landlord and Tenet Act has a toll free number for tenets to call, but I've never called it. I don't know if you get a real person or just recorded information. Call the toll-free operator. (1 800 555 1212.)

Talk to your welfare worker about this. They will have resources, and hopefully they will be helpful to you.

Best of luck and I hope you get out of there soon! That's no place for you and yours to be living.

[Flutterby]

Another thought to look into is Habitat for Humanity. You do have to put in volunteer hours as part of 'payment' on your place but it's worth it. They might have something like that in your neck of the woods if you're not in the big city, something to look into.

If your sister no longer lives with your Mom you should be getting the CTB, unfortunately it could be tricky to get if you are not her legal guardian. As to the other girl.. well as long as the parents don't send the cops looking for her you might stay lucky but I think at 15 you could be charged with something if her parents do decide to send the cops after her. I know my friend Sam was frantic when she found out her sister had run away (she's 15 and possibly pregnant) and was ready to call the cops when she found where her sister was staying. At her equally underage boyfriend's house with his mother hiding the two of them from Sam and their mother.

I can't know your situation of course. It's quite possible the other girl's situation was bad but I have been seeing it from the other side where this girl has a mother who loves her and a good home to go back to (Sam's only 18 and is moving back in right now. If it was bad there she wouldn't set foot in that house again as she has a place with us if she needs it.) and am giving a fair warning that the law may not be on your side at least with that respect.

As to the place you live in.. those pictures that were mentioned taking? I suggest taking copies to the Housing Aid office and showing them to your worker/someone who can deal with your file. It may get things moved up faster.

[Poetchick85]

hmmmm I have time on Wensday, I'll walk up to my soical services building and have a chat with my worker. The one girl, kate, her parents know she is with me, and they don't really care. In fact, her mother said I could add Kate to mym check, but in december. Her mom wants to catch up on her bills first. I did tell housing about a few of problems, I was told that I just have to wait like everyone else. I'll take pics though, maybe that will speed things up. As for housing, when on, I have to pay 30% of my income. That would work out to be about 200 I think, maybe less. plain_jane thanx bunches for all of the info. If I do get a inspection, will they tell my landlord? I wouldn't want him to know. One thing however, people are coming through tonight, they want to buy th building. If so, my landlord would change, and maybe some of my problems. I hope.
Obsidian Flutterby , it is almost damned impossable to get CTB if i am not her legal guardin.

[poo_doll]

if its such a dump then it don't matter how cheap it is. get off your ass and start lookin for a better place. don't be such a cheapo . dig down in your deep pockets and fork out for a better place for you your sister and your other friend.

[Flutterby]

Yeah I figured it would be. Have you talked to your mom? (I'm guessing she is the legal guardian from what you've said so far) Maybe you can convince her to transfer guardianship to you of your sister.. dunno how well that would go over though if she is just using the CTB money for her stuff..

[Poetchick85]

Last time I tried to talk to my mother about money, this was the response I got back. "If you are out of my house , I don't need to spend my hard earned money on you. I am not staying at home all the time just so that you can have tons of money. I do not have to make my life shit just because you "have to" move out"
I have not recived one cent from my mother. I have tryed to talke to her before about the CTB, only to have her bitch at me. It's hard you know, for her to support her and her boyfriend on only 55,000 a year, really hard when compared to my high living at 7,800 a year, also for two people.
hmmm, I wonder if I should report her. You know, I

[Poetchick85]

grrrr cat on the keyboard. well, anyways to finish my thought,
I'm pretty sure that recvceing money for a child not in your care is very much agianst the law.

[Flutterby]

I'm pretty sure it is too. It might be a good idea to talk to legal aid.. there is student legal aid (at least here in this province) but there should also be a regular legal aid for anyone unable to hire a lawyer/consult one usually.