Susie and I thought we’d rented a place. It’s between Burrard and Granville bridges, on 1st street. It’s a nice place: quiet, safe, third floor with balcony. Great location. Did I say quiet?
We’ve signed the rent and given our deposit cheque. Things were looking good.
Here’s the sudden problem: as we were renting it, we were told several times that it was 1200 square feet. It felt smaller than that to us, but we thought, hey, what do we know and everyone exaggerates. As we signed the papers, I asked for a floor plan.
Today, by email, the real estate agent handling the rental told us that it was in fact only 900 square feet.
For comparison, we’re told the place we’re in now is 1100 sq. ft.
I’m shocked, and I think we’re going to abort our rental. We have too much big stuff. And paying the amount of rent they asked for, for only 900 sq. feet makes this place feel much more expensive.
What do you think?
Update: So far, everyone I’ve asked thinks we did the right thing. But I’m horribly sad about the whole thing. I just want to MOVE. Last night, we spotted ANOTHER neighboring building that’s going to start getting jackhammered within a week or so.
“The superior man contains the means in his own person. He bides his time and then acts. Why then should not everything go well? He acts and is free. Therefore all he has to do is to go forth, and he takes his quarry. This is how a man fares who acts after he has ready the means.”
“kindergarchy n. Rule or domination by children; the belief that children’s needs and preferences take precedence over those of their parents or other adults.”
“As in 2007, the average U.S. worker has 14 vacation days this year. Just across the Canadian border, our counterparts get an average of 17 vacation days annually. But if you want a real “vacation envy” complex, consider the vacation banks of European workers. France tops the list with an average of 37 days, followed by Italy (33 days), Spain (31), the Netherlands and Austria (28), Germany (27) and Great Britain (26). “
Hmm. That sucks. But...Vancouver is expensive. Our apartment building got bought. Our current apartment really is 550 sq. ft. and it's an old building.
They're redoing the suites as people move out. Apparently, they are going to charge $1200 for the new suites. We pay about $870. Sounds pretty insane.
When we were looking in January 2004, a 2 bedroom, ~950 sq. ft place with hardwood floors in our South Granville neighbourhood was going for around $1400.
I don't expect prices to get better any time soon.
Did the place "feel" big? I mean, visually? Did it look like you could fit your stuff?
Dang. We wanted you as neighbours!
P.S. not being able to read the entry while I'm commenting is a bit awkward. I like how the preview works.
Stay there if you like it, but act like a jerk and get some money out of the deal.
Posted by wally the duck at 2:17 pm on Sep. 13, 2005
I don't understand. How could I get money out of the deal?
Posted by Travis Smith at 2:22 pm on Sep. 13, 2005
If you bring it to the real estate board you might be able to negotiate and get
reduced rent for misprepresentation from the listing agent's company. Basically, if a listing says something - it had better be true, or the listing agent is responsible for making it right. Maybe its different in Canada, but when I am representing a property, I have to have my facts straight or I am held responsible.
Posted by Christine Harmel at 8:06 am on Sep. 14, 2005
You can scroll right easily by holding down the SHIFT key and using your scroll wheel. (Firefox users trying this will end up jumping to old Web pages until a) Firefox releases a fix, b) they change their settings like so.)
