West End actor Laryssa Troniak faces loss of her apartment
A struggling, pet-loving renter must vacate her one-bedroom suite in the West End by April 1, but insists she has nowhere to go.
“I don’t have a place, and I don’t know what to do,” Laryssa Troniak told the Georgia Straight by phone. Moving to a new place, she said, “is too expensive. I’ve been looking. The situation is I am an underemployed actress, and I’m dealing with really bad health issues.”
Troniak, 32, has lived in the building at 1075 Burnaby Street since 1997. According to her, Gordon Nelson Investments Inc. purchased the 20-unit building in November and is now preparing to undertake extensive renovations.
Troniak maintains she cannot leave because of health issues, and she has not packed for a move. Her rent is $600 a month, and, she said, she has not found anything comparable for less than $950, which is what bachelor apartments are going for in her area.
Things appear about to get worse for Troniak, because she has signed a mutual agreement to end her tenancy. However, she said, she was under the impression she would not have to leave by April 1.
Chris Nelson, co-owner of GNI, told the Straight by phone that he had a signed agreement in his hand stating that his company and Troniak have agreed to two months’ free rent and to GNI paying her moving expenses, in exchange for Troniak vacating her suite. Nelson said Troniak did not pay rent for the month of December, leaving a balance that represents half of her rental compensation.
When the Straight relayed this information, Troniak reacted with shock and anger, having earlier categorically denied signing away her tenancy.
“This doesn’t look good on top of everything else,” she said.
GNI had enlisted a third party, MoMac Consulting Ltd., to facilitate the buyouts of the tenants. Sharon Isaak, a West End renter and spokesperson for Renters at Risk, told the Straight she is concerned tenants simply do not know their rights—that they do not have to sign anything.
“What is being told to the tenants to get them to sign if, two weeks before moving, they are confused?” Isaak said by cellphone. “Do they understand what they are signing?”
Nelson would not say whether GNI intends to tear the building down, but said the company has begun the process of “getting building permits to complete the renovations on the building”. In a subsequent interview, Nelson said that he is willing to assist Troniak in finding a place to live.
Comments
7 Comments
Meg
Mar 25, 2010 at 3:05pm
Are you serious? This is not news. This happens all the time (happened to me last year and no one did a story on me). A little document called the Residential Tenancy Act outlines the parameters for this stuff... this woman should read it.
glen p robbins
Mar 25, 2010 at 3:15pm
These situations can become predatory very quickly. I am not comfortable with speaking with government people over the telephone (I like things in writing)-- but these types of changes to to tenants' generals right (vis-a-vis statute) need to have another element to them.
In some other jurisdictions other than BC -- a tenant would probably get a couple of months free rent just for the inconvenience of the work---//
If this woman has lived there 11 years--and was not in a 'subservient' negotiating position -- she might have better negotiated this deal for more compensation than she did--say 11 months--not two.
In these deals--there should be an interim agreement principle (no force and affect) -- the new owner should provide $100 for legal fee up front--and the tenant should sign off with independent legal advice. (there are a number of lawyers who would do this for the tenant).
Then----If the tenant realizes too late that she did not sign a good deal or cannot fulfill the agreement--for which he/she is receiving consideration than -- that's too bad I suppose.
As it is--these uncomfortable situations will proliferate not decline.
AWP
Mar 25, 2010 at 3:47pm
this lady is probably a friend of the musicaan from Ottawa who came to investigate the olympics and now wants BC to supply her housing> Nelson sounds pretty reasonable. she is using the press.
ray i
Mar 25, 2010 at 6:38pm
Is she mentally disabled? Who signs an End of Tenancy Agreement without reading it? Free people in a free society deserve to get what they agree to. Maybe next time she will read legal documents before signing them.
barbara
Mar 27, 2010 at 9:36am
i dont think she is menatlly disabled.... i think that maybe there is miscommunication between herself and GNI...what about all the other tenants....what if THEY havent found a place yet..... i appers they most tenants have lived in the building for a long time...should they all be thrown on the street.... and especially if this young woman is recovering from health isssues...i dont think it's fair.....
wildrose
Apr 9, 2010 at 12:00pm
Sinple solution. Get your head out of the clouds, and get your butt out of the west end. I'm sure you'll find something more affordable. You're in financial trouble and you insist on staying in the area....the most expensive area to live in practically all of N. America? Get real.
barbara
May 12, 2010 at 5:05am
perhaps shelookedin other areas but could not find a safe clean place...gordon nelson investments are not nice people just google them they are as we speak doing this to other buildings and i heard that he r building that is mentioned is NOt being renovated....