Help Victoria as she’s now homeless

I moved into the suite on Admirals Road in June 2021 with my then 17-year-old daughter. From the beginning, our tenancy had its challenges, particularly after the property was sold in October 2021 to the current landlords.

My daughter, who was on the lease with me, faced significant mental health challenges, which created difficulties in managing the tenancy. Over a two-year period, I made multiple requests to have her removed from the lease, but unfortunately, she remained on it, and during that time, her instability contributed to significant damage in the unit. After numerous incidents, including 13 police interventions related to domestic issues between us, she moved out in July 2024. When she left, much of the suite had been damaged, and many of my personal belongings were either destroyed or taken. Additionally, my two cats were given away without my knowledge—while I was able to recover one, the other remains with the person who received them, and I am now pursuing a civil case to get my pet back.

After her departure, I returned to the suite and found it in a condition that required immediate attention. The unit was uninhabitable for several days, and I had to use the funds I had set aside for the damage deposit to cover the cost of cleaning and making basic repairs. I took care of a dump run to clear out garbage and damaged furniture, and I’ve been gradually working to replace items that were lost, all of which has come at a significant personal cost.

In addition to the situation with my daughter, there were ongoing maintenance issues throughout my tenancy. In the spring of 2022, a leak from the laundry room caused damage to the living room wall, which left large holes that were not repaired until January 2024. During that time, we also had a recurring problem with drain flies and issues with the furnace, which sometimes left us without heat during colder months. The heat in my suite is controlled by the upstairs tenant, which meant that I couldn’t always adjust it as needed. The oil tank for the furnace also ran out on several occasions, and it sometimes took days to be refilled. Other maintenance issues, such as a washing machine flood and a malfunctioning stove, were addressed, though these repairs took time. I also faced challenges with the toilet, which didn’t fill properly for several months before it was fixed.

While I’ve always aimed to address issues as they arose, communication with the landlord was sometimes delayed, and I recognize that managing these concerns has been challenging for all involved.

Most recently, on September 9, 2024, I was served with an eviction notice related to an unpaid portion of my damage deposit, despite having already paid rent in full for that month. This was particularly difficult, as the same day brought several other stressful events, including a medical emergency involving my best friend and the need to have my roommate removed by the police due to unsafe behavior. I had intended to pay the remaining damage deposit, but the ongoing financial strain has made this difficult, especially after I became ill in August with MRSA, which left me unable to focus on the repairs and financial obligations for nearly three weeks.

Currently, the landlord holds $150 of my damage deposit, and I am working to come up with the remaining amount. I also recently learned that my daughter had signed over the damage deposit from our previous lease, a decision she made without my knowledge, and I am working to address this situation as well.

Financially, things have become increasingly challenging. In May 2024, the Residential Tenancy Board approved a 27% rent increase, which raised my rent by $241, which took effect on September 1, further stretching my limited resources. Replacing my belongings after the damage in the suite, coupled with the rent increase, has left me unable to pay the remaining deposit. I am now preparing for a dispute resolution hearing on October 16 to challenge the eviction notice. To stay in my home, I need to come up with $746 for the deposit and the October rent, which I am currently unable to afford.

I briefly had a roommate who moved in on September 1, 2024, but due to concerns around safety and erratic behavior, they were removed within nine days, which has added to the instability.

At this point, I am facing the real possibility of losing my home and potentially having my car repossessed, as I am behind on payments. My phone and internet bills are overdue, my car insurance is two months behind, and my bank account is overdrawn. The financial strain has been overwhelming, and I am doing my best to manage everything, but I find myself running out of options.

In addition to these challenges, I’ve also experienced a breakdown in family support. My father has cut off contact, and my mother has been living in a homeless shelter for nearly two years, limiting any help I can receive from her.

I am trying to navigate these difficult circumstances, and any advice or assistance would be greatly appreciated as I work to stabilize my situation.

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