canada rental-property theft british-columbia
Can a landlord confiscate and charge me for removal of my bbq?
<p>I live in a shared house, with my landlord in the basement suite. I brought home a propane barbecue and the following day I noticed it was missing from the back yard. I looked around a bit and noticed it was in the garage (which I don't have keys to). I contacted the landlord and after a day he replied saying that I wasn't allowed to have a barbecue, and he will be hiring a junk removal (at my expense) to pick it up if it isn't gone in less than 24 hours. </p>

<p>My lease says nothing about barbecues and no one ever said there was a rule against them. The landlord said I should have asked before getting one. I'm not sure how to reply to this, I guess "I shouldn't have asked, you should have told me".</p>

<p>Is it legal for my landlord to do this? If not, what exact laws is he breaking and what can I do? Practically speaking, what's the best course of action? It seems a shame to end a perfectly good relationship over a $80 bbq.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>It seems a shame to end a perfectly good relationship over a $80 bbq</p>
</blockquote>

<p>So don't: any legal action you take against the landlord will do this.</p>

<p>Actions you <em>could</em> take include reporting him to the police for theft or suing him for the tort of conversion. Even if you are not permitted by your lease to have a barbecue (and I would be <em>extremely</em> surprised if this is the case) the landlord's correct response is to point out your breach and the steps they expect you to take to remedy it: not to illegally seize your property.</p>
