A senior couple in Dartmouth, NS, says they live in a financial nightmare when they wait for their case to be heard before the rental board of Nova Scotia.
Janice and Ed Lalonde say they pay the rent for two apartments, although they are locked up from one of them.
“I pay for an empty apartment I have no keys and I am not allowed to access,” said Janice.
The Lalondes were able to obtain what they call their “dream apartment”, only to discover that their former owners would not let them get out of their lease, which does not end before October.
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The couple continued to pay the rent for both places, but their former owners took their keys after decided to renovate the apartment.
“We agreed everything, simply because we did not want a fight,” said Janice.
The Lalondes pay $ 1,425 per month for their new apartment and are also blocked by paying an additional $ 2,275 for their old place plus electricity.
Global News contacted the former owners of the couple on Monday, but they did not want to talk about the case in front of the Nova Scotia rental council next week.
Meanwhile, Janice says that paying two rents stretched them.
“My husband is back to work 40 hours, which he should not do at his age. I brought my alliances to a jeweler … and I tried to sell them in consignment since January, “she said.
She says they tried to sublet the old apartment, but did not find any sub-tenants approved by the owners.
Meanwhile, Janice and Ed Hope, given what they experienced, they will be released from their old lease during the hearing next week.
“I don’t want to hurt people, I can’t afford to lose everything I have left to pay two apartments,” said Janice.
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