'I just want to have peace': B.C. grandmother battling impending eviction
Elsa Schmidt has lived in her one-bedroom home in Surrey’s Cloverdale neighbourhood since November 2020.
She loves the location on 57 Avenue, and the rent is within her budget – but she says the landlord has had it in for her from day one, and she’s received an eviction notice to leave by Oct. 31.
“She just doesn’t like me,” said the 82-year-old regarding her landlord. “Because my kids come too often, my grandkids come a whole bunch at a time.”
Schmidt said her landlord has told her she has too much furniture, and even that she’s not allowed to bake.
“I bake buns every Saturday for the kids,” she said. “She found out and told me baking buns is a fire hazard.”
Earlier this week, Schmidt received an eviction notice, claiming she broke the rules by having a person age 19 or older live with her in her apartment.
Schmidt’s daughter, Edie Brown, said her mother underwent open-heart surgery more than a year ago, and that the surgeon advised that she should be supervised during her recovery.
“My sister in Kamloops came and stayed with her for probably six weeks,” Brown said. “I’m pretty sure that’s what (the eviction is) referring to.”
According to the eviction notice, a guest of Schmidt’s also parked in a tenant-assigned parking spot, and proceeded to threaten the landlord when she told him he's not allowed, resulting in a police report. CTV News reached out to Surrey RCMP but has yet to receive a response.
Schmidt’s granddaughter took to social media to share her grandmother’s story, and the family has since heard from others who have had experiences with the same landlord.
“The horror stories that came out about this woman are just amazing,” said Casandra Sullivan. “And they own another three buildings.”
On Friday, several tenants, past and present, met together in Cloverdale to discuss bringing possible action to the Residential Tenancy Branch.
“I’d like to see a change,” said Steven Turcotte, a current resident of the building. “I’d like to see this person, this company, stop harassing their tenants.”
Turcotte said the landlord tried evicting him once for a damaged toilet, but he won the appeal.
Another man told CTV News he also received an eviction notice for having a person age 19 or older stay in his home. He said he was accused of subletting his apartment, but that he was temporarily housing his mother, who was displaced due to a house fire. The eviction, he said, was overturned by the Residential Tenancy Branch.
Meanwhile, Schmidt says the experience has been a nightmare.
“Sometimes I just sit in my room and cry,” said Schmidt, holding back tears. “I don’t think that’s fair. I’m 82, worked my whole life and now I just want to have peace.”
But Schmidt and her family aren’t backing down.
“We’re going to fight it,” said Schmidt.
CTV News reached out to the landlord but did not receive a response. A representative from Dole Enterprises Ltd., the building operator, and was told the company would not comment as the matter is before the police and Residential Tenancy Branch.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.