A DECISION bya rentalsman’s officér'to accept a’ landlord’s demand for 20 per cent more rent rather than the six per cent offered by a North Vancouver tenant who believes in conforming to government inflation guidelines is going to court. ' By CHRIS LLOYD The case of Westview Crescent townhouse tenants who are outraged at their landlord levelling rent in- creases of 20-25 per cent at a time when they say facilities are deteriorating has been taken up by the North Shore Tenants’ Association. NSTA President Richard Blackburn says the “""ASsOCIs legal counsel to proceed with court action against a decision by the Rentalsman's office to uphold the increase in the case of one of the first rents due to change. Members of the Westview Tenants’ Association, which claims a membership of 120 of the 178 renters in the complex, had decided the six per cent government guidelines would be an adequate in- crease for the facilities they receive. ) Head of the townhouse tenants’ association is David Pratt, who lives at 859. When his November 1! rent came due, he paid a six-per- cent increase to $466. Nov. 29-Dec. 4 soe B.000099995900392200602004908 advocated in - Pratt received a hand- delivered eviction notice Friday morning. ; Members of the Westview association had agreed that if any of them got served eviction notices as a result of such’ action they would all withhold their rents. - Meanwhile, though, ‘th matter came before the Rentalman’s office: Officer Joan McHardy ruled in favor of the increase submitted by the landlord, stating that it was usual for tenants to counter with an offer of at least a 10 per cent increase. Blackburn now says the NSTA has_ instructed counsel to take.the matter to court — probably to B.C. Supreme Court — to fight the Rentalsman’s ruling on four grounds: 1. Denial of natural justice — that it ‘was an unfair decision because rents appear to be exempt from controls santioned by senior levels of government; 2. Error in finding of fact — in that mortgage costs submitted by the landlord allegedly apply to other buildings being supported by SOW BOOM rent increases to the Westview tenants; — in that Pratt had originally offered zero rent increase and was then told to amend the offer, thereby jeopar- dizing his own interests; . 4. Perceived bias — that the rentalsman’s officer did not use discretionary powers available which would have permitted her to set a rent between those figures of- fered by the landlord and tenant. _ Blackburn says the case will likely: be heard in judge’s chambers and that if the judge decides there has been an error he would probably send the case back to the rentalsman’s. office .for a rehearing before a different officer. . GOSS OHOSSHHHSHHSHSHHOHSSHHOHHOSHOSCHHSOSCOE CORE ‘ PLAZAZZ? e e & 3 = Tickets in advance 687-1818 JON HENDRICKS en 1: ee ELLA FITZGERALD Tickets in advance 687-1816 oensesseet eedenedensass os? 3. Constitutional grounds — A3 - Sunday, November 7, 1982 - North Shore News ALSO INSIDE NSTA was successful in having rents on 70 town- houses at Rufus Park rolied back, with an order for some WAR COUNCIL is held between Westview Tenants’ Association. $50,000 in overcharged rents NSTA President to be refunded. The lan- Richard Blackburn is dlords, Cressey Develop- seated left on the couch, ments Ltd., were fined a showing correspon- total of $12,000 when they | dence regarding rent pleaded guilty in North Van imcrease battle to Westview ~Cresent resident David Pratt, seated next to him. provincial court October 14 to 12 charges of collecting excessive rent. HRD 1444 Lonsdale North Vancouver Yes, we’re moving Nov. 12 to 1625 Lonsdale Complete Ski Package Rossignol or Spatding Skis 200 00 Salomon 222 Bindings with Brake 89.95 Gipron Poles 24.95 installation & Buff Wax 20.00 334 95 NOW 199.95 CABER EXPERT BOOTS Reg 200 00 Nordica Cosmos Reg 160 00 Katarat Mena Ski Jackets Reg 150.00 Smith Double Lens Goggles Reg 25 65 Leather Gloves Reg 35 00 25.00 Salomon 626 Reg. 129 05 now 89.95 BUY THE NEW SALOMON 737 for 6159 and receive FREE mounting, edge sharpening and buff wax reg. $25.00 value. North Shore Ski Swap 228 Lonadatle Avec. N. Van. 9s0-191 1 now 89.95 now 119.95 80.00 19.95 NOW NOW NOW News Photo Ellsworth Dickson eiiaiits and North Shore 980-4536 A Learing tragedy PAGE B9 Champs crowned PAGE BI Needle that saves PAGE C5 s es Aerobics for lunch PAGE C2 Classified A21 Entertainment What's Going On