Tenants and landlords learn their rights

Few relationships can be as fraught as the one between a tenant and their landlord. After all the safety inspections, paperwork, and prepaid cheques, there is the day-to-day minutiae of communicating with another person. Tenants can be demanding while landlords can be overbearing, which occasionally creates tension. Renting an apartment or house can be a tricky situation. Many people don’t know where a tenant’s responsibilities end and a landlord’s duties begin.

A recent seminar tried to clear the air on the dos, don’ts, and maybes of renting houses in Saskatchewan. While it was a bit dry, it conveyed some useful information for its small crowd.

The Housing Support Program (a new organization that started last April) hosted a tenancy information session at the SIGN building on Broadway Street on Jun. 27. Landlords and tenants gathered in the basement room to learn about their rights and responsibilities. There was an afternoon and evening session.

“There isn’t a lot of awareness [about these rights] in Yorkton, I have found,” said Melinda Davis, a housing locator for the Housing Support Program.

Robyn Harden was the main speaker at the event. She’s a representative with the Office of Residential Tenancies. She handles rental disputes.

“When there’s a breakdown between a landlord and a tenant, [that’s where we step in,]” she said.

Harden discussed the validity of written and spoken agreements. She laid out landlords’ responsibilities to their tenants. When the topic of rental disputes came up, Harden said saving records of discussions is key to winning the debate.

“Videos and photos are so essential,” she said.

Fire chief Trevor Morissey spoke with the audience about safety codes. He emphasized how landlords carry a special duty when it comes to fire safety and heating.

“A landlord has an obligation to provide heat,” he said.

Karen Renton with Knight Archer Insurance spoke about the importance of the sometimes-forgotten tenant insurance.

“It insures your contents,” she said.

Anthony Allary represented the Yorkton Tranisitional Home for Youth during his brief speech. He encouraged people to donate their used furniture when they leave their dwellings.

“We accept all kinds of furniture,” he said.

Davis was pleased with the speakers’ work at the information sessions. She hopes similar events can broaden the public’s understanding of rental rights.

“It’s important that everybody’s on the same page to know what the rights and responsibilities are,” she said.