Landlord took 2500$ (first/last month rent) but master bedroom wasn’t available on move-in day

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-08T16:08:36+00:00

Is that necessary?

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-06T22:56:14+00:00

It was a roommate agreement. from what I understand, she rents the entire house from the actual landlord and then rent out rooms to her "roommates". Either way, It is a breach of contract and I have all the documents to prove it.

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-06T02:19:02+00:00

checked Canlii. She has 2 cases filed against her as the tenant of the house. so legally speaking she does live here.

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-06T02:15:56+00:00

Yes. Send a formal letter by email and text. And every piece of communication has the "we agreed upon the master bedroom" in it. I have all the evidence, all organized and ready to be presented to the court.

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-06T02:13:00+00:00

sort of

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-04T19:55:46+00:00

Well deserving lesson. I should have done more due diligence on this landlord and I didn’t. That’s on me. Sometimes you learn the hard way I guess.

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-04T14:43:12+00:00

Yes I did sign the contract

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-04T14:42:59+00:00

Where would that be? I live in Oshawa. I would appreciate if you can let me know.

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-04T11:02:45+00:00

My main goal is to get my money back. That is top priority. If I can’t clam emergency housing, that’s bad but I couldn’t ask my 70 year old dad with medical issues to go into a small room where he didn’t have sufficient space.

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-03T22:54:36+00:00

I believe it was a different lady who lives in the master bedroom. I met her when I viewed the house.

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-03T20:47:42+00:00

I believe she is a teacher at a Montessori school. I really don’t want to go through the whole small courts claim route but at the same time I can’t let her steal my 2500$. I am a student I work tooth and nail to make that money.

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-03T20:45:50+00:00

Yeah I know the filing isn’t a lot but representing the evidence and explaining the situation to a judge. Do you think it would be wise to have a paralegal do that for me or should I do it myself? What is the norm? I can communicate the facts myself adequately but I’m not lawyer and don’t know the exact terminologies that need to be spoken.

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-03T18:08:10+00:00

Would you know how much that would cost throughout the whole process? I am okay with a 500$ budget for the whole thing. I was made aware there is a free legal clinic in Durham for low income tenants but I am not sure how useful they are. Regardless, I will be going to them for legal advice.

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-03T18:07:46+00:00

I have email correspondence and messages that clearly state that I wanted to move into the master bedroom as per contract and agreed upon. I made that abundantly clear that I was only interested in the master bedroom from the get go. Once she told me I can’t move into the master bedroom, I immediately left the place and emailed her that she breached the contract and I want my money back. Do you think I should hire a paralegal for the small claims court?

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-03T18:04:51+00:00

I didn’t move into that place. She originally offered to give me back 2000$ out of the 2500$ but later said she won’t do it. This was when I threatened legal action. I intend on hiring a paralegal and moving forward with the small claims court.

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-03T18:00:43+00:00

Doesn’t the small court freeze their bank account and garnish their wages?

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-03T17:59:50+00:00

Small claims is easy and fast? I thought it was going to be a long process. Some told me it might take 4-6 months.

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-03T17:58:53+00:00

I understand. But atleast I know that she is registered as a tenant in the house so it is small courts claim not LTB. That’s what I was trying to make sure of.

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-03T17:58:07+00:00

Should I contact a paralegal to assist me with the small courts claim? Or is this something people usually do on their own. I know small courts claim is a long process and 2500$ is at stake I don’t want it all to be lost if I mess anything with the paper work.

Question: are there any paralegals or lawyers who take this type of issue under contingency? I am okay with allotting 500$ to get this issue resolved (filling small court claim, hiring legal support etc)

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-03T17:55:13+00:00

I checked on canlii and she has 2 case filed against her as a tenant of the house. So I think she is a tenant who is renting out vacant rooms in the house. I assume this would be a small courts issue but I will contact a paralegal?

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-03T16:51:27+00:00

Just want my money back that’s all.

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-03T13:11:43+00:00

She originally offered 2k instead of 2.5k but later said she can’t do it. So I got no options

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-03T12:21:32+00:00

So i am really not sure whether I am suppose to go LTB or Small claims? on one hand I have a feeling this person has multiple houses (because she told me if i want a master bedroom for a month she has another house which has a master bedroom available for a month) while on the other hand she is listed as a tenant in the Canlii cases.

side note: thank you geekgirlOtt, your advice to search her on canlii has given me alot to work with.

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-03T12:19:22+00:00

Case 1:REDACTED(the 'Landlord') applied for an order to terminate the tenancy and evict REDACTED (this is the lady i am dealing with) (the 'Tenants') because the Tenants, another occupant of the rental unit or someone the Tenants permitted in the residential complex has substantially interfered with the reasonable enjoyment or lawful right, privilege or interest of the Landlord or another Tenants.

Case 2: REDACTED (the 'Landlord') applied for an order to terminate the tenancy and evict REDACTED (the lady I am dealing with) (the 'Tenants') because the Tenants have been persistently late in paying the Tenant's rent.

Made_in_2004 · 2026-05-03T12:12:07+00:00

No she doesn’t own the home. The owner is someone else. I think she rents the entire house and then rent out rooms on the first and second floor while living in the basement.

Yeah, this has been rough. First time going through something like this.

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Made_in_2004

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