Landlord wants my tank out!
 

So my landlord came in today to renew the contract. The landlady is fine with the tank but landlord wants it out. I have told them that I have put in too much effort on this one and if this is going out, I am going out.

Landlady was asking landlord that he is just student and a good tenant, don't do this to him. But the guy said that it is his house, his business and he doesn't care whether I am a student or not. Alongside, he also wants to increase the rent by $250!

So I said that I am not going to let this tank go and won't sign contact.

Time to find a tank friendly and student friendly home. So much for being a good tenant who pays on 1st of each month, kept everything clean and tidy and never caused any problem. Awesome landlord :)

They may have a government departmen that covers landlord tenant disputes. Phone them and ask them for their advice on the tank and whether the landlord can raise the rent that much

I don't think it will help. Its like "no-pet" allowed policy or something. Its his house and he can make whatever rule he likes regarding this. Plus he is giving me a 4 months notice too. So literally there's no hole. I read through the bylaws since I knew this was going to happen and nothing will work.

sorry to hear man. hope you find a new place in time and things go smoothly. this is brutal.

Yah I know :( I still got 4 months so hoping to find a aquarium friendly house. Let's see........

In terms of the rent, he is only allowed to raise the rent a certain percentage every year if you are an existing tenant (at least in BC). My landlord does ~4% per year, but only does 2% for me because I take care of his house (ie. I do all the gardening, etc). Unless you live in a really pricey place (but I assume not because you're a student), $250 is rediculous.

Even if you convinced the landlord to not raise the rent and let you keep the tank, I'd still go. He'd never really feel happy with the situation and probably make the living arrangement uncomfortable. As it is he sounds like a bit of a dink :razz:.

Time to go find a sweet new place!

His defense for increasing the rent by such amount is that he didn't increase it for the last 3 years (I am here for like 2 years and my room mate for 3 years). We take the whole bi-level in a single contract so he is increasing $250 in the total contract so that's like $100 for each of us (+ a 3rd subtenant).

Yah I think it would be better to move out anyway. He won't be very friendly in the long terms. I would have been fine with the increase but no tank tripped me.

What does your lease say? most do say NO liquid filled vessels allowed without explicit written consent.

Unless the landlord has done HUGE renos no way can he raise your rent over the current cap which you will have to check with the Residental tenancy branch to find the amount.. Guessing 5% or so

that's sucky!! I'm curious too though, you said that your rental agreement clearly states "NO PETS" ? Did you not approach your landlord and work something out to allow you to have your tank? You've had the tank for a while. You must have communicated this to your landlord at some point or did you just ignore the clause in your rental agreement?

That sucks that you have to move! Would he maybe agree to the tank if you offered to increase your security deposit? Are you able to show insurance noting he's covered for any loss as a result of the tank exploding or leaking, water damages? Does your lease agreement state anything specific about pets?

I get you are at the point where it doesn't matter with this current landlord, but likely something you should be up front about with your new landlord to ensure you get into a place knowing you won't have to move anytime soon as a result.

Regarding rent increases - you really are at the mercy of the landlord on that one, there's nothing in Alberta limiting residential rates or annual increases. If a landlord doesn't like you, they can raise it whatever they want.

gl!

The contract only mentioned about pets and nothing about water vessels. I might be able to escalate it (not sure though) but in the end, its just gonna make my stay painful even if I stay.

Here's the rent increase quote of Alberta:

Rent Increases: Notice and Timing

There are no rent controls in Alberta. Rent can only be increased if there has not been a rent increase within the previous 365 days or since the start of the tenancy, whichever is later. Before the rent can be increased the landlord must give the following written notice:

weekly: 12 full tenancy weeks
monthly: 3 full tenancy months
any other periodic tenancy: 90 days

So Alberta doesn't have any sort of % cap of rent increment.

I can see their concern, water can cause huge problems for a property owner and insurance policies do not cover mould removal/remediation, however caused.

Fish are pets. So did you not tell your landlord that you planned to set up a fish tank so that you could work an agreement with your landlord and put it into contract as an amendment or some such thing? If you just did it assuming that it would be OK then I can see the landlord being upset about it.

The landlord did know that I have one tank (the 20 gallon) and my room mate had another tank (29 gallon cichlid). I didn't inform him about the upgrade since, well this is just an upgrade from 20 to 70 gallon and fishes are not considered in pets. He just don't want two tanks in the house anymore and the 70 gallon has to be out that's it.


He already had an water damage in 2006 (I wasn't here) at the top floor due to something else (not tank) and he is saying his insurance won't cover a second damage. I am not familiar with it.

All in all, he was just saying he don't want to listen to anything. The tank has to be out. Its his business and he doesnt care about the tenant - yes that's what he said :)

I am already looking for house and I will obviously make sure that I have a tank to accompany me. If required, I will bring the new landlord to show the tank so there's so misunderstanding.

I have found if you ask up front "can I have an aquarium" before you move into a new place/sign a lease, the landlord will be fine with it. One time I had to put down an extra security deposit, which is legal for the landlord to ask if you have a pet. Most leases do specifically mention no waterbeds/aquariums unless permission is given, although I know that wasn't the case with your lease.

Good luck finding a new place though! I don't think you will have trouble finding one that will allow an aquarium. He sounds like a bad landlord, so it is probably best to get out of there anyway. Moving an aquarium is a huge PITA unfortunately.

This is a good idea. Even if your current landlord was Ok with your 20g, it would have been prudent to mention your upgrade plans. You did add a sump and a bit more complexity to your system. As a non-hobbyist the setup, however simple you might think it is can appear overwhelming.

Yah that's what I am worried about. Moving others stuffs is just one trip but moving the tanks...a totally different story :(

Yah I would consider it to be my fault too to some extend. I have to clear everything up with the new landlord I will be having.

Man I feel like an idiot putting it in the reef section instead of lounge :(

but then I wouldn't be able to continue to pad my post count.

I feel your pain been there myself when I first moved to Prince George I had 2 cats and few options too many people with pets and not responsible owners for them. I lucked out and got a townhouse rental at a great price and lived there for 8 yrs till i bought my own house and kept it well maintained and it helped the landlords loved my cats. Then when I started fish keeping they weren't ecstatic about it but as long as I didn't have water leaks or tank failures they allowed me to keep them.

Keep your chin up you will find a place it just sucks that he is such a dick about it.

Yah. Honestly, I just didn't like his attitude. He was like, I don't want it here, its my business I dont care......you are very welcome sir and best of luck with your next tenant :)

UNTIL A few yrs ago BC had same laws but due to the "Slum Lords" and "drug addicts/dealers" using and abusing properties a lot of the laws concerning renting and renting out of properties have become much stricter in BC many of the big gangs in the lower mainland use properties in the north as grow ops and stash houses as they find it easier to stay under the radar up here than places like Hongcouver.

If its not a condition of your lease, call the rentals man. As for the increase, that's landlord freedom. Sucks.

I have decided to get tenant insurance and see whether the landlord let me stay or not. Anyone got any idea how much the insurance gonna cost?

Personally, as a landlord I wouldn't allow tanks either. The humidity is just bad for a house :) Maybe a small nano, but that's about it. And no cats.

Will a 70 gallon tank have any humidity impact? And cat is totally out of question; they are not reef safe.

Oh when you get time, please shift it to lounge forum :)

Tenant insurance is cheap. Like $30/mth. BUT... Usually cOvers contents only. The LL will have structure coverage.

Humidity. Yes. Yes indeed. Mine Is a 70. I needed to get a dehumidifier.

Sorry for the stupid question but what sort of damage is done by humid? I am not familiar with that :redface:

Mold, rot inside walls. If the tank is larger, even more. My front door lock and handle rusted from the humidity of my tank.

But doesn't that happen when your humidity hit like 100% or something?

Call Canadian Direct Insurance.. Get a tenants rental policy which is insurance on your possessions.. And tell them you have an aquarium. I have 3 million liability on mine ( I live on 4th floor) and my fish are also covered as "pets" so their value would be compensated in the event of a fire..etc.

make sure you get IN WRITING that you are allowed an aquarium, no matter if you stay or if you move.. IN WRITING.. Trust me.. I AM the evil Property Manager;)

No, that's just regular tank evaporation. The bigger the tank, the more damage.

100% just means you'd be sitting in the fog but could be growing stuff in the walls even with the room measuring 30%

Oh. Back home, humidity used to hit 100% but I guess due to RCC construction, humidity wasn't a problem. Maybe I will just sell this tank and take the hit.

didn't you say your friends have tanks as well? or do they not have theirs anymore?

Landlord is allowing my room mate's 29gallon but not mine. He asked him whether he will let me keep mine if he shuts down his but landlord wouldn't listen. No big tank.

Knowing first hand the damage that any tank can cause, I certainly would not blame any landlord for not allowing a tank. As careful as I am, I do spill water on my floor. I am also occasionally cleaning salt water off my walls. Also, we are always hearing how seasoned reefers spill mass quantities of water on their floors. As a landlord, you just don't know because you're not there all the time. You don't know how much water may be spilling or what the tenant might be hiding. Then there's the possibility of electrical+salt water issues. A landlord need only hear ONE of these anecdotes to be convinced that having a tank in a rental property is probably not a good idea.

Should I sell this tank and get a cube perhaps? A small 20x20x20? Suggestions please. :)

What I would recommend is that you come to an agreement and an understanding with whatever landlord you end up with. Clearly define what you are allowed and not allowed. There are many landlords who are perfectly fine with tenants having tanks so long as you are up front about it and agree upon parameters, whatever they may be.

It could be that your landlord was okay with the 20g because it appeared to him to be a a harmless self contained glass box of water sitting on a desk. No big deal. But then you upgraded to a much better tank with all sorts of plumbing hanging off of it, another tank underneath the main tank with all sorts of plumbing, more water, some reactor looking thing that's swirling water around. When he saw it he was probably like, HOLY MOTHER WHAT's ALL THIS?!?!

So, if you do decide to move, I would do what you have already said you are going to do, and that is to be clear to your landlord what you plan to have in terms of your tank. If you decide to stay, it sounds like you will have to turf the tank, sadly :cry: That is unless you can agree to a smaller volume with your landlord and you are willing to downgrade.