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A resident of a boutique condo in Toronto is facing a unique predicament. With the lease ending on December 1st, the tenant had planned to move out on November 30th. However, the building management has imposed restrictions that are making the move impossible. The condo building has two elevators, one for regular use and the other for moving/freight. The latter has been out of service for about two weeks, leaving the tenant with no option but to use the regular elevator or stairs. However, the tenant has been informed that neither the working passenger elevator nor the stairs can be used to move their belongings. This leaves the tenant with no feasible way to move out, as moving furniture down multiple flights of stairs alone is neither safe nor possible. Despite offering to adhere to building rules, book a time, and use pads, the tenant has been denied permission. This raises the question: Can the building management legally prevent the tenant from moving out? And if the tenant is unable to leave on time due to these restrictions, could they be charged extra rent or fees?
Answers from Social Media
The situation sparked a lively discussion on Reddit. One user suggested that the tenant should use the main elevator, asserting that they’ve done their due diligence by giving ample warning and offering flexibility by requesting specific times. Another user stated that the building management cannot legally block the tenant from moving out, but advised the tenant to ensure that they won’t be fined…