To Whom it may concern;
I'm writing this letter in hopes that I can get someone who will help me in this terrible time. We have been living in this rental house for seven years. Three years ago we told the landlord the roof was leaking and there were repairs needed to be done to the house. The eaves were ripping away from the house, swinging and dangerously hanging.
The house also had large exposed
holes which allowed raccoons and other creatures to freely enter the house. Mice over came the house, chewing and destroying electrical appliances, new chest freezer, and leaving their remains behind. We also had a rat, which we trapped, after his chewing a hole in the counter top. Our pleas when unnoticed.
As time when on, the damage the roof was causing worsened, causing extensive damage to the bedroom and bathroom ceilings. We brought the landlord up to the bedroom and bathroom to show him how things were getting. Still nothing was done about our serious problem.
At this point now when it rained you had to use an umbrella to use the bathroom. We were collecting the leaks with 20L pails which had to be emptied several times if it rained all day.
Finally, after exhausting efforts of not being heard, we informed the landlord in writing that we would not pay anymore till the problems and damages were fixed. A couple of months past, and we met with the
landlady, who informed us she knew nothing about our complaints and was shocked by our actions. WE told her that we offered to help fix the problems with house, but nothing was done so we felt we had no choice but
hold the rent.
She agreed to fix the problems in the house and start fresh. We then paid her a months rent in good faith. She sent her sons over to look at the house (the landlady herself hasn't been in the house in the whole seven years we have been here) with a carpenter. They conquered with us and agreed that the house needed repair.
Due to the length of time the roof was leaking it cause damage in the attic as well, wet insulation, rotten wood and mould. We also were concerned to learn that there had been a fire in the house, and that new wood had been replaced and attached to the severely burned wood. Windows had been broken and missing panes. We thought that finally things were going to all right and safe. All the landlady ordered was the ceilings to be patched and the roof patched in the spot it did the most damage. The landlady then wanted to be paid for the back rent we had held, we told her that the problems were not fixed and that we would not pay till it was fixed. She has now served us with eviction for non-payment of rent, and have 15 days to vacate.
Please understand this is not a circumstance of just not paying the rent because we didn't have it, or being irresponsible, we did this because for 3 years we asked for things to be fixed and nothing happened, no one heard us. I have children who live in this house, it just wasn't livable anymore. WE had a terrible
time a few years back financially, had to go bankrupt. It now is difficult to rent any other house as per credit checks.
We have nowhere else to turn, and now in 15 days we'll have no place to go, because we stood up and asked for a decent place to dwell. I am scared, not so much for myself but for my kids (3). We tell our kids to stand up for what you believe in, but when you do, you still lose the only dignity you have. What good does it do, the landlord will rent the house again to another family, not knowing the problems previous, and the whole thing starts all over. I believe that people shouldn't be forced to live in unmaintained homes because they have no other choices.
Well that's our situation, not sure if anyone can help, but I would really appreciate some if you can.
Sincere Regards;
R.
PS... I hope my news matters.
Ray
BRADFORD, Ontario
Canada
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