Toronto Renters Forum

Common Tenant Problems => Other Tenant Problems => Topic started by: Charlotte Mickie on July 28, 2022, 06:23:00 pm

Title: Movie shooting in my building
Post by: Charlotte Mickie on July 28, 2022, 06:23:00 pm
Our landlord leased out a vacant apartment for a shoot--it's actually for an episode of tv series.  The production is very expensive, big, and while the shoot is only for a day, there was a lot of prep work.  The landlord gave very little notice, and in all honesty, I don't think the landlord expecting the level of activity/disruption the shoot would entail.  In any case, tenants are upset.  Since the landlord received compensation for the shoot, do tenants have any grounds to ask for compensation from the landlord?   I should note that our landlord also provided the TTC with an easement to do extensive work on our property and I understand (through the grapevine) that there was compensation for that as well.  Again there will be serious tenant inconvenience, although for a much longer period.  I am not sure the landlord could have resisted the easement (it's required to make the subway near us accessible), but still it doesn't seem right that tenants will be put out and the landlord will receive all the benefit.  I do realise all these disruptions make it harder to rent empty units, so the landlord is taking something of a loss...
Title: Re: Movie shooting in my building
Post by: Sandy on August 01, 2022, 07:53:54 am
I suppose you could try filing a T2 Application at the landlord and tenant board.  A T2 is for when the landlord has:
▪ seriously interfered with the reasonable enjoyment of the rental unit or the complex by you or a member of your household,
▪ withheld or interfered with vital services, care services, or meals,
▪ harassed, interfered with, obstructed, coerced or threatened you.
But I don't think that these sorts of applications have much chance of winning.
Title: Re: Movie shooting in my building
Post by: William on August 02, 2022, 05:57:20 pm
Hi Charlotte,

I agree with Sandy's reply, and unfortunately I also agree that these sorts of proceedings (or, really, any complaint raised by tenants to the Landlord and Tenant Board) are long-shots with little chance of seeing justice.  The LTB isn't particarly predisposed to consider what it's like living somewhere owned by a difficult landlord.

The LTB does publish "Guidelines" that are sometimes helpful, for example, this one:

   Tenant Rights - Interpretation Guideline 6 (https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/ltb/Interpretation%20Guidelines/06%20-%20Tenants%20Rights.html)

This document has sections pertaining to T2 applications, for example regarding:  Harassement, Substantial Interference, and Withholding Vital Services, etc., that you might find informative.

But the truth is, unless the abuse that you are suffering is extrremely henious and undeniably documented, then you probably won't receive any satisfaction from the LTB.

Just FYI, here's a link to the T2 Application Form (https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/ltb/Tenant%20Applications%20&%20Instructions/T2.pdf), and to an instructive pamphlet T2 - Application About Tenant Rights (https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/ltb/Tenant%20Applications%20&%20Instructions/T2_Instructions_20200401.pdf).

What do you think you are going to do?

- William