Emil Michael, Senior Vice President of Business for Uber Technologies, filed for a restraining order against his landlord, tech industry lawyer John Danforth, on September 5, 2013. He alleged that his landlord harassed and intimidated him. The legal case is just now coming to light following recent disputes between Michael and his journalist critics.
Michael leased a home from Danforth in June 2012, for $9,500 per month. Michael complained that he was fearful of someone entering his apartment because his landlord had given out keys to several workers. On one occasion he said he found “a stranger started making noise in my backyard.”
Danforth replied that the “stranger” was in fact a gardener doing her routine monthly watering and clean up. He added that the people given access to the home were there to complete repairs and maintenance such as: a painter, plumber, locksmith, and repairman for the heater, dryer, and refrigerator. Moreover, they were given access to complete the maintenance on the home with no less than 24 hour’s written notice to the tenant.
Transcripts from the September 27, 2013 hearing indicated that the judge rejected the application and called it “borderline frivolous.”
The landlord-tenant relationship between the two apparently deteriorated after Danforth discovered that Michael had painted the home’s bathroom without his permission. In his reply to the court, Danforth indicated that he and Michael had already tried resolving the issues via email, with a site visit from the contractor, and two mediation sessions.
Uber is a popular American car ride-service app that has thus far been blocked from operating in Vancouver. The BC government has warned Uber that they need to get a license for the taxi-like service. On November 4, 2014, the Vancouver Taxi Association filed for an injunction barring Uber from operating in the Vancouver area.
In B.C., the Residential Tenancy branch recommends that landlords and tenants first try to resolve their issues themselves. In the event that is not successful, the Residential Tenancy Branch and Alternative Dispute Resolution Strategies may be used to help resolve conflicts between renters and landlords.
Jayne Embree M.A.
Divorce Coach and Child Specialist
Jayne holds a Masters in Psychology and is a highly experienced Divorce Coach and Child Specialist. Currently on sabbatical, Jayne is conducting research in the area of family dynamics and parental conflict.
For more on the Residential Tenancy Branch refer to:
For more on this San Francisco Tenancy Dispute refer to The San Francisco Chronicle:
www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Combative-Uber-exec-gets-in-nasty-legal-tangle-5953449.php
Or the Daily Mail:
For more on Uber coming to Vancouver read:
www.bc.ctvnews.ca/vancouver-taxi-companies-file-lawsuit-against-uber-1.2086891
Areas of Practice: Family law including separation, divorce, mediation, arbitration, child & spousal support, support variations, guardianship, parenting time, access, property division and more. Victoria BC