[nagdu] Tenant Rights

[Julie J.]

Heather,

This is most definitely allowed on this list!  I'm glad you asked for help 
with this.  I hope Marion will be able to assist you in getting it 
straightened out.

Have you thought about not mentioning that you have a guide dog in advance? 
Here, in the U.S., we are not required to notify a business in advance of 
our disability or guide dog.  It doesn't eliminate problems, but at least I 
can deal with them in person. *smile*

I hope you find the perfect apartment very soon, best of luck!
Julie

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Heather Hutchison" <heather at heather-hutchison.com>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 07, 2009 5:24 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Tenant Rights


> Hi all,
>
> My apologies if this isn't allowed because I live in British Columbia, 
> Canada, but I was wondering if I could get some general input on what  to 
> do about being discriminated against due to the presence of my  guide dog 
> in applying for a rental unit.
>
> An acquaintance of my boyfriend was moving out of her apartment and we 
> decided it would be a great area and a perfect place for us to live  in, 
> so we contacted the landlords (a husband and wife) to set up a  viewing 
> (we've seen the place before, but to do it officially). She  set up a time 
> the next morning for us to come and view the suite. My  boyfriend 
> mentioned the fact that I have a guide dog (not as a  question of if it 
> would be alright, but simply to state a fact) and  everything changed. She 
> said she would have to check with her husband  and quickly hung up. She 
> called back and left a message specifically  stating that because there 
> was another dog on the premises (these are  completely separate units 
> though) that because of my dog, we would not  be considered to rent the 
> suite. We have kept this message. We called  her to try and explain the 
> law (the guide animal act of British  Columbia states that it is illegal 
> to discriminate against a person  with a disability because of their 
> intent to keep a service animal in  the rental unit unless sleeping, 
> cooking or bathroom facilities are  shared) but she would not listen. She 
> put her husband on the phone and  he proceeded to be incredibly rude, 
> screaming that they did not have  to accept a guide dog, essentially that 
> the law was wrong. He said  they weren't even having viewings (which is 
> incorrect because we had  previously had an appointment for that same day 
> until they found out  about my dog). He then said we could come look at it 
> if we really  wanted but that we wouldn't get it anyways. He said they 
> were being  threatened when we said we would take legal action. One last 
> time we  tried to read him the act, but he hung up in the middle of it.
>
> What should I do? I am having a very difficult time finding a place to 
> live (I've heard every excuse in the book) and I'm tired of people 
> blatantly ignoring the law. It is very difficult to find pet friendly 
> suites in Vancouver and they are almost impossible to get into because 
> they are in such high demand. I filled out a human rights complaint  but 
> have not sent it yet. Anything else I should do? Should I pursue  this?
>
> Thank you very much in advance for any input you might have.
>
> Heather with Bibby
>
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