We moved Nov 26, we found a renter to sublet our apt., (paid $50 fee for the convenience of breaking our lease). The onsite prop mgr said we'd get back the $750 rental deposit since it is held for last month's rent.

It's almost 2 months now, we've left 3 messages and written 2 emails - all avoided. When I called to discuss the return of the dough, as soon as I mentioned the property address they transfered the call to a voicemail, nobody calls back!!

I have been googling the heck out of this topic, and can't seem to find where I would file a complaint to put a fire under the frickin' property management. I found the Ontario Tenants Rights (lots to read, yep), but not sure who to contact as an advocate since we're in the U.S. now. I'm not even sure how long they are allowed to hold on to that money.

We could really use this $750 (CAD) right about now

Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal?

I was just coming back to post that I found the form to file on the ORHT, and you beat me to it. I didn't understand the process...

I don't know, you might be out of luck. Everyone I know who has sublet their apartment (when dealing with a property manager) gets their last month's rent from the person they find to sublet. Someone I know did just that a couple of months ago and got the new person to give him the last month's rent.

I am pretty sure that unless you signed a new lease, you are still bound by the old one, but it's worth it to contact the tribunal anyway.

Were you in Toronto before? Because here's another resource: http://www.torontotenants.org/

Yeah, it's funny they told us to call the woman who was going to sublet and ask if she had paid her deposit yet. She said she had already paid it to the Prop Mgr.
We didn't know what we were doing so we didn't know to ask her for the new deposit.

I just filled out the form to ask the Tribunal for help, and got to the end where it says it costs $45 to file the complaint, and we may have to appear at a hearing.
now that we're 2500 miles away, that wouldn't exactly work out would it.

Since it deals with Provincial legislation, try to contact the MPP's office where you used to live and see if they have some contacts who can help. I tried to copy and paste the site here but the link won't work. If you google "MPP Ontario who" it will bring up the Legislative Assembly site that has a link at the bottom to Elections Ontario. That will allow you to search for your MPP by postal code.

That's probably why he isn't giving it back.. he knows you'd have to travel a relatively long distance to get it back and probably figures that you won't bother... Maybe you could get someone to represent you in Ontario in front of the Tribunal by giving them a power of attorney...

Tribunal stuff usually takes awhile for review etc. But I like zyggy's idea of seeing if you can find someone to represent you.

Good news, I wrote a nasty-gram to the Landlord(s) explaining I was going ahead with filing the complaint with the Tribunal, and not to FEAR that we have arranged for someone to represent us there (not really, but fun to say) and I got an immediate response and they said they got the check approved Jan 15, and it is "en route" !! !

wooooooo hoooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!


you're kinda cute when ya get fiesty woman!!!

Great news!!! Way to go!!

Rental board, or small claims, i would send a letter stating something like, if in 10 days you don't receive the check back, you'll sue (either one or another, but i won't say in the letter where) and will add in the amount the damages or prejudices: payment of your travel back if you have to be present in court..Usually that might work to expedite your money back...if not, .Of course you have to prepare the proofs..etc...You might find samples of these types of letters online...etc..Good luck...

ops!..just read you fixed the problem! Congratulations!!!!

they also have to give you the interest on the deposit. remind them of that

UPDATE, no interest but we're not complaining, the check came in the mail yesterday!! I guess throwin' around big words like Tribunal and Youguyssuck really worked.

Glad to hear you got your cheque!

Yeah, I said "cheque", not "check". I refuse to also drop my "u"s in words like colour, favour, favourite and neighbour.