If you are (or were) a tenant at 415 / 425 / 435 Michigan Street, Victoria BC, between 2021 and 2024, you may be entitled to compensation.
Two hours to stand up for your rights by preparing an RTB dispute could result in Starlight refunding 5% to 50% of your rent for the duration of the construction.
Who:
Current or past tenants at 415, 425, 435 Michigan Street, Victoria BC, who lived here anytime between late 2021 and early 2024, and did not move out more than two years ago.
What:
Tenants are submitting RTB disputes for compensation for Loss of Quiet Enjoyment (noise and disturbance), Loss of Access (bike sheds and yard) for the years of construction between the two buildings from 2021 into 2014.
When:
July 2024. Disputes are being submitted now.
Why:
- Before the current era of toxic vacancy rates (~1%) and ruthless corporate housing profiteers like Starlight Investments, it was customary for landlords to voluntarily offer tenants a 25% rent reduction during disturbing renovations or construction.
- Tenancy laws protect your right to quiet enjoyment. When your comfort in your home is highly impacted by the housing profiteer's actions (renovations, construction, etc.) you are entitled to fair compensation.
- You could be awarded anywhere from 5% to 50% of your rent refunded for months or years of disturbance you suffered.
- It's easy, it is your right, and for a matter this simple, it takes very little time to prepare and submit a dispute.
How:
Step One: Watch this video to remind yourself what you have been subjected to.
Step Two: Register on this website.
Step Three: Answer the guided questions to prepare your RTB dispute.
Step Four: Submit your RTB dispute. Help is available if you need it.
Option B:
Devon Properties and Starlight Investments hope you enjoyed the donuts, construction noise and rent increases, and would like to thank you for not pursuing your right to compensation!
Things to know:
- Devon / Starlight can not evict you for submitting an RTB dispute.
- After the 2016-2019 renovations, over 100 tenants submitted RTB disputes. Every tenant (with a few complicated exceptions) either accepted a settlement or was granted an award by the RTB.
- The average reward was more than 25% of rent, the most common award was 50%.
- Devon / Starlight did not harass or attempt to evict tenants. Housing profiteers are more reluctant to harass / evict organized tenants who stand up for their rights.
- Any tenant may submit a dispute until two years after the tenancy has ended.