534 - Wednesday, December 1, 1991 - North Shore News HELP’S AT HAND. HELP’S AT Hand, by North Shore Community Services (NSCS), is a forum for discussing government policies and pro- grams, benefits, consumer and legal rights, taxation and public services. Answers are intended only as a general guide and should not be applied to individual cases without further consultation. Question: I am a young woman living in an iNegai basement suite in a home belonging to an elderly lady. My tandlady has severe health problems. Although she gets a homemaker to help once a week she often asks me fo run e7- rands for her. I don’t mind help- ing out, but she is usually ungrateful and often rude to me. I would like to keep out of her way, but she takes my mail upstairs to her own apartment and I have to visit ker to get it. Sometimes she disturbs. me late at night by shouting at me from upstairs to come and get my mail. Should I put up my own mailbox? Answer: We'll try to answer your question in two parts. The first part will deal with your legal rights and responsibilities as a te- nant, In next week’s column we'll spend some time exploring ways . to improve your relationship with your landlady, if, in fact,.. you’ would like to get on better ‘with her. Apartments aren’t easy to fi ind these days, especially affordable ones, and that may be one of the factors that keeps you in this situ- ation. However, that should not stop you from asking your landiady to respect your rights as her tenant. Standing up to a ‘Jandlord can be difficult, but keep in mind that you are within your rights to do so. The fact that the suite is illegal should. not be a threat because unless neighbors complain about it, the suite will remain intact. .. Tenants -living in: an “illegal suite “"are protected by the Residential Tenancy Act. It is advisable to speak with your landlady in a calm and - Straightforward’ manner. Your ‘goal should be to have her clearly understand what you are com- -municating. . If she is so unreasonable that she will not listen to your re- quests, it may be easier to put them in writing. Ask that she nor disturb you after certain hours and that she not expect you to do errands for her. Putting up your own mailbox sounds like a good idea, but you would need her permission to do this, and the costs of the mailbox and putting it up are your respon- sibility. A simpler solution might be to ask her to feave your maii in a neutral place where you can pick it up without having contact. Under the Residential Tenancy Act, the treatment you are receiv- ing from your landlady may be termed as harassment. Although tenants can bring many problems to arbitration —- a chance to solve problems between you and your landlord with the help of a third party — this is one area where it is hard to get much help. Harassment can be hard to prove. However, should you decide to go this route, your case will be strengthened if you prepare a record, including dates and times of your harassment experi- ences. Your case may also. be reinforced if you provide witnesses. You can also get help about your rights by calling the Tenant’s Rights Information Line at 255- 0546. You may want to ask for a copy of the Tenant’s Survival Guide as it has some very helpful guidelines for going to arbitration. If you would like to apply for an arbitration hearing, contact the Residential Tenancy Branch at 660-3456. . This column is prepared with financial assistance from the Notary Foundation. For more in- formation call NSCS at 985-7138. | THE CREAM B RISES Gov't grants, loans: 100% financing. We @ arrange accommodation. Get the train- 7. ing that gets the job & give yourself a s Christmas present that will fast forever. . ENROLL NOW FOR: JANUARY/92 CLASS CALL DUBRULLE FRENCH CULINARY SCHOOL s 6 (in Vancouver call 738-3155) 1522 W. 8th Ave., Van., BC V6J 4R8 WEST VAN SANTA CLAUS FUND NORTH VAN CHRISTMAS BUREAU The businesses below have generousiz, offered to act as depots for donations. Donations by cheque can be made directiy to: The North Van Christmas Sureau PO. Box 38568 North Vancouver, B.C. V7L 4T7 food toys cash food West Van Santa Claus Fund PO. Box 91114 West Vancouver, BC. V7V 3N3 All three donations may be made at: North Shore Credit Union 1100 Lonsdale 1080 Marine Dr. 399 N. Dollarton 1247 Ross Rd. 3131 Edgemont Park Royal South Lonsdale Quay Market North Shore News 423 Carrie Cates Court ~” December 17. NORTH VANCOUVER A Shade Better 1877 Marine Drive Beaver Lumber 915 West 1st Buy Low Foods 730 West 14th Capilano Suspension Bridgo ™ $735 Capilano Road Grouse Mountain 6400 Nancy Greene Way North Shore Winter Club 1325 Keith Rosd . NY. District Municipal Hall 355 West Queens Queen’s Cross Pub 2989 Lonsdale Crest Reatiy 101-2609 Westview Dr. Shaw Cable 1477 Pemberton Save-On-Foods Park & Tilford Stong’s 415 Dollarton Hwy. Lynn Valley Centre Please drop off any 1189 Lonsdale Ave. Non-perishable food items only. Please give before Sussex. Realty 2996 Lonsdale The Blossom Shop | 3077 Woodbine Sussex Insurance 3953 Edgemont Bivd. Trims 3151 Edgemont Blvd. Wheels 1790 Marine Dr. ReMax West #308-1200 Lynn Valley Road ReMax Esplandade #109-267 W. Esplanade WEST VANCOUVER Pharmasave Caulfeitd Village Stong’s Dundarave 2491 Marine Drive Windsor Meats 1810 Marine Drive Woodward’s Foods Park Royal North Sussex Realty 2397 Marine Drive toys new or nearly new toys to any firehali on the North Shore. Toys should be clean and in good condition. at your local * The North Vancouver Christmas Bure; division of North Shore Family Sermces Societs B.C. Hydro effice heats. LAP _ aga Ci en net oom programs wish you season's fe a ee é RoughOU the year greetings and a safe, ee zat neem aorernS WSS afh.te Lets Power Smart New Year Customer Service offices w'" be closed Wednesday, December 25; Thursday, December 26; and Wednesday, January 1. Our emergency crews will be on standby 24 hours a day during the holiday seasoi as they are throughout the year. THE STAFF AND CREWS OF YOUR LOCAL HYORG OFFICE BC hydro SUNDAY -« WEDNESDSY « FRIDAY For more information: North Van Christmas Bureau 984-9627 (XMAS) West Van Santa Claus Fund 922-4537, 922-6522