Episode 175: Rental Roundtable Table Topics Style with Dan Dyble and Karen Hall Part 4
Summary
I love talking with other people who like to talk – those are my peeps. Fellow Toastmasters from the “Money Matters” Club, Dan Dyble and Karen Hall join me in today’s rental roundtable, Table Topics style. Today’s episode is part 4 of a 5 part discussion, Table Topics style. Our topic today: landlord rental power and dynamics.
https://moneymatters.toastmastersclubs.org
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This Week’s Blog Post:
Power and Dynamics in Rentals
Hi friends! I’m Dr. Jen, and in this episode of My Life as a Landlord, we continued our Rental Roundtable series with Dan Dyble and Karen Hall—this time tackling the complex and often awkward topic of power and dynamics in rentals. This episode is part four of our Toastmasters-style “Table Topics” discussions, where we think on our feet and explore important landlord-tenant issues. We’ve already covered ethics, responsibilities, and affordability in previous episodes, and today’s conversation was all about understanding where power lies between landlords and tenants—and how to keep that balance healthy.
Do Landlords Have Too Much Power?
We opened with one of the toughest questions: do landlords have too much power over tenants? Dan and Karen both agreed that the answer depends on where you are. Rules differ dramatically between provinces, states, and countries, with Alberta giving landlords more control than places like British Columbia or Ontario. For me, it’s not really about power—it’s about knowledge and communication. Both landlords and tenants need to understand their rights and responsibilities, and how they engage with each other determines how that power is felt. When relationships are clear and communication stays open, the power dynamic becomes balanced and fair.
Tenant Protections and Sudden Evictions
Next, we discussed what protections renters should have against sudden eviction. Karen pointed out that context matters—if there’s a fire or another emergency, the landlord’s insurance should help tenants transition and cover moving costs. But if the eviction is due to tenant behavior, like a meth lab or criminal activity, then immediate eviction is justified. I agreed that evictions should always be reasonable and rooted in safety or habitability issues. Governments sometimes overstep, as seen with Quebec’s three-year moratorium on redevelopment evictions, but balance is key. Reasonable protections paired with fair landlord rights make the system work.
Should There Be a Renters’ Union?
Our third topic asked whether renters should have a union like workers do. I pointed out that renters’ unions already exist—Vancouver, for example, has an active Tenants Union that influences policy. While these associations help raise awareness, we also need strong landlord associations to keep both sides informed and balanced. Dan, who has a background in labor relations, argued that unions in housing could complicate communication, taking away direct dialogue between landlords and tenants. Karen added that organizing a true union would require significant funding and infrastructure, which might not be realistic. We all agreed that education, collaboration, and strong associations serve both parties better than formal unions.
Final Thoughts on Communication and Growth
As we wrapped up, we talked about how organizations like Toastmasters can help both landlords and tenants develop better communication and conflict-resolution skills. Clear dialogue, active listening, and understanding others’ perspectives make all the difference when navigating housing relationships. Every Rental Roundtable leaves me reflecting on how much we can learn from one another and how important it is to keep the conversation going.
This episode was recorded from my boat in Desolation Sound, British Columbia, as well as in Surrey and Powell River, BC. Why? Because real estate takes you places. Where do you want real estate to take you? Join me next week for Episode 176, where former guest Eugene Gershman interviews me about lessons learned on your first development on the Land to Legacy podcast. I’ll see you there!