An employed, married local couple have been refused an apartment rental after the landlord discovered the husband played in a heavy metal band. Music documentary filmmaker Sam Dunn (see Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey) will be delighted to learn that educating the masses about metal remains a growth business.
Michael Crossley, bassist with Toronto rockers Vilipend and wife Lara Crossley had apparently reached a verbal agreement with the property owner, identified only as Suzanne by Classic Rock Magazine. But Suzanne changed her mind after Googling Mike and discovering more about his musical proclivities.
In an email Lara Crossley shared in her blog, Suzanne told the Crossleys: “We were quite ready to make a decision in your favour the other night. However, upon investigation of the band Vilipend, it has brought forward some concerns for us. We are uncomfortable with the energy that this music manifests.”
Mike Crossley tells Classic Rock he didn’t anticipate being “so poorly misjudged” for his transparency when applying for the rental. He adds, “The point is not that a couple of twenty-somethings missed out on a decent apartment.
“If Lara and I were discriminated against as a dual full-time income, Caucasian, middle-class, heterosexual couple with good references and credit checks, imagine the difficult somebody who doesn’t have those advantages must experience.
“Anyone who isn’t ‘comfortable with the energy this music manifests’ to the extent they’re making business and life decisions around it should watch the documentary Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey to help them understand.”
Ha ha... indeed. In her blog post “Too metal to pay rent” Lara Crossley adds: “This has been very heartbreaking for the both of us. On two occasions we were told by the landlord, in writing, that we were the strongest applicants and that she had little to no reservation in renting the apartment to us.
“Her decision to deny us the apartment based on the fact that Mike’s artistic outlet is accessible using Google was offensive, and completely infringed on our privacy.”
Meanwhile over at the band’s official website, the growing story is being met with some uncertainty and the group appears eager to shift attention away from the rental story and towards the business of making music.
“We have many great things coming up in August (a new record, a tour with Meek is Murder, etc.) and would much rather discuss any of them or the actual music we make and play. While we will not shy away from discussing this incident, any of the issues it has raised or how people into aggressive music can be unfairly judged, the point was never to garner sympathy or press, but purely express astonishment at the situation.”
Suzanne had not replied to requests from Classic Rock for a comment.
I am pretty sure there is a long line of renters with similar stories to tell, especially in a city like Toronto where condos are going up, like, hourly but decent, affordable rentals are as scarce as pink cats. Landlords have all the power.
On the flipside, this is far and away the most amount of press Vilipend has ever had, so they’d be wise to capitalize on it all they can. Sometimes, the last laugh really is the sweetest.
Michael and Lara are right, they are, on paper, a landlord's dream. Their love of metal shouldn't have been an issue at all. So where does that leave people like me - single parent, woman of colour, and on assistance, metal isn't my favourite, but that wouldn't even become an issue, as I am the least likely to get an apartment...
nothing like Pantera, or Motorhead... Maybe I need to hear more of a selection to make a better judgement. The ppl renting the apt, should never be biased b.c of Music likes... That's absurd.
Rental discrimination and they should sue for that . It's better for them to save some money and buy a house in the country example a farm house scream and bang the music instrument as much as they want till the cow does home for dinner. Living out there nobody bugs you . City people are cold and nosy .
One feels like suggesting they get a lawyer and sue for discrirminating, but I'm not sure it would be covered by the laws governing anti-discrimination; and ultimately she has a right to rent or not rent to whomever she wants. They should have published the name of the landlord (after all - she advertised the apartment, putting her in the public venue, I say). Who wants to rent from the likes of that woman anyway? What's next - she doesn't like a prospective applicant's taste in clothing??
Cant blame the landlord, how would he know if they would practice there or have wild parties. Considering how hard it is to get tenants out, you dont let them in to start
The correct word is correct not "ccorrect".... before you start bitching at everyone else, learn how to spell first.... Grammar Nazi's are a pain in the rear end....
It can take 6 months to 1 year to kick out a bad tenant even if they are not paying their rent, that's why landlords in Ontario have to be extra cautious.
So what if she googled and didn't like what she saw. How can this be an invasion of privacy. You put yourself out there and she read it - the bad comes from the good - can't have it both ways. In the end it is her right to refuse tenancy, just like it is your right to look for another. Sure hope I didn't offend anyone oh no was I politically correct - fed up with the whinning.
If you can prove without a doubt, you'd be a worthy tenant, who is able to afford paying their rent on time, I think any landlord would be happy to have you as a renter.
Knowing what anyone does for a job, shouldn't be the deciding factor, unless it's something illegal.
Until the tenant proves to be UNworthly, the landlord in this case is making an assumption.
Guess she doesn't rent to anyone who doesn't have the SAME beliefs, standards and lifestyle.
Wonder if this landlord rents to strippers, potheads or families with unruly kids lol.
Put it this way- has anyone ever been evicted because they listen to heavy metal? You can be a huge fan of either country music or Justin Bieber and be rude, loud, obnoxious, do drugs, drink 24/7, or worship the devil. As for heavy metal? You can crank it past 11 and be clean, sober and worship Jesus Christ. My point is she should of went by what references were given to her and be okay with Mr. Crossley playing in a metal band as a musician. The point of the whole thing is this- he's just a musician working to pay his bills.
With there being so few rentals in T.O. and here in Vancouver the landlord can pick & choose to his/hers hear content But this landlord should have asked them, face to face - practice much???? That's all that had to be done. Dumb landlord.
Ontario has laws against discriminating on the grounds of owning pets so other forms of discrimation are probably illegal too. These folk probably have grounds for a lawsuit. I have no use for Metal but these sound like decent enough folk who happen to like a certain form of music. Can you imagine what would happen if I refused a potential tenant on the grounds they like Rap, which I happen to hate? That would be discrimination plain and simple.
The folks pointing out how hard it is to evict tenants also have a point. I had forgotten about that side of it. My friend had to fight for months to kick out a pair of lousy deadbeats who had been convicted of dealing drugs in his building and hadn't paid rent for months. The laws need to be changed to give landlords a little more freedom kicking out bums but protecting tenants from unscrupulous slumlords at the same time.
I am a female in my late 40's and I would rent to them. Most people in bands want to keep their private life and music life separate. These are 2 hard working people who just want to come home from work and relax just like a cello player would. Maybe they don't listen to their own music.
I think you all would have differant views if it was your building. I was a super for 15 years and the trouble to evict someone was huge. That is why these things happen. When the government did away with damage deposits everything went down hill. This is a result of that law being removed. She's protecting her business and nothing more just like any of out there would.....
is this metal humm i think metallica or pantera or acdc or ozzy osbourne anyway you get the point heavy metal has become a bunch of scream iron maiden had plenty of money and sucess but did not do this crap we could still be able to understand the words and discrimination for rent is all over quebec and canada new law need to be apply
Their just afraid you'd bring your GD work with you.....
Posted by: Mexican Gringo | 08/02/2012 at 09:33 PM
It may seem discriminatory but it comes down to this.Its my house, my investment, my choice....
If im stupid enough to think metal band...drugs..parties...damage....noise. That my right to be stupid....:) welcome to the planet earth
Posted by: James | 08/02/2012 at 11:05 PM
Michael and Lara are right, they are, on paper, a landlord's dream. Their love of metal shouldn't have been an issue at all. So where does that leave people like me - single parent, woman of colour, and on assistance, metal isn't my favourite, but that wouldn't even become an issue, as I am the least likely to get an apartment...
Posted by: Ms Ehm | 08/02/2012 at 11:48 PM
This is plain ridiculuous. I really do question our society at times.
We say we're open and accepting yet this happens.
Posted by: C | 08/03/2012 at 12:10 AM
Were they going to reherse in the apartment? Or were they going to be as quiet as mice?
I once rented my basement suite to a rock band. They were very quiet -- but if they made any loud music they would have been kicked out.
Rockk music today is mostly loud obnoxious crap!
from a musician,
Robert
Posted by: Robert | 08/03/2012 at 12:33 AM
Just a bunch of screaming..
nothing like Pantera, or Motorhead... Maybe I need to hear more of a selection to make a better judgement. The ppl renting the apt, should never be biased b.c of Music likes... That's absurd.
Posted by: Neon | 08/03/2012 at 06:01 AM
Rental discrimination and they should sue for that . It's better for them to save some money and buy a house in the country example a farm house scream and bang the music instrument as much as they want till the cow does home for dinner. Living out there nobody bugs you . City people are cold and nosy .
Posted by: Alex | 08/03/2012 at 06:15 AM
Obviously the landlord has multiple choice and therefore can pick and choose a tenant.
Posted by: Robyn | 08/03/2012 at 08:15 AM
bring your amps and stuff down to this suzanne's place and blast her out. this is how we fix discrimmination problems !
Posted by: Herry69 | 08/03/2012 at 08:48 AM
One feels like suggesting they get a lawyer and sue for discrirminating, but I'm not sure it would be covered by the laws governing anti-discrimination; and ultimately she has a right to rent or not rent to whomever she wants. They should have published the name of the landlord (after all - she advertised the apartment, putting her in the public venue, I say). Who wants to rent from the likes of that woman anyway? What's next - she doesn't like a prospective applicant's taste in clothing??
Posted by: nanny | 08/03/2012 at 08:55 AM
To: Mexican Gringo.
Your pseudonym betrays your Ontario schooling.
The ccorrect word is they're or even 'they are'
not 'their'
To Herry69: same comment
The correct word would be 'take' your amps down to Suzannes place.. not
'bring' ...
Posted by: Rumplestiltskin | 08/03/2012 at 09:07 AM
Cant blame the landlord, how would he know if they would practice there or have wild parties. Considering how hard it is to get tenants out, you dont let them in to start
Posted by: Kenn | 08/03/2012 at 09:46 AM
To Rumplestiltskin,
The correct word is correct not "ccorrect".... before you start bitching at everyone else, learn how to spell first.... Grammar Nazi's are a pain in the rear end....
Posted by: Joe | 08/03/2012 at 10:00 AM
It can take 6 months to 1 year to kick out a bad tenant even if they are not paying their rent, that's why landlords in Ontario have to be extra cautious.
Posted by: Marc | 08/03/2012 at 10:10 AM
So what if she googled and didn't like what she saw. How can this be an invasion of privacy. You put yourself out there and she read it - the bad comes from the good - can't have it both ways. In the end it is her right to refuse tenancy, just like it is your right to look for another. Sure hope I didn't offend anyone oh no was I politically correct - fed up with the whinning.
Posted by: enough is enough | 08/03/2012 at 10:26 AM
If you can prove without a doubt, you'd be a worthy tenant, who is able to afford paying their rent on time, I think any landlord would be happy to have you as a renter.
Knowing what anyone does for a job, shouldn't be the deciding factor, unless it's something illegal.
Until the tenant proves to be UNworthly, the landlord in this case is making an assumption.
Guess she doesn't rent to anyone who doesn't have the SAME beliefs, standards and lifestyle.
Wonder if this landlord rents to strippers, potheads or families with unruly kids lol.
Posted by: Baglady | 08/03/2012 at 10:27 AM
Put it this way- has anyone ever been evicted because they listen to heavy metal? You can be a huge fan of either country music or Justin Bieber and be rude, loud, obnoxious, do drugs, drink 24/7, or worship the devil. As for heavy metal? You can crank it past 11 and be clean, sober and worship Jesus Christ. My point is she should of went by what references were given to her and be okay with Mr. Crossley playing in a metal band as a musician. The point of the whole thing is this- he's just a musician working to pay his bills.
Posted by: Metallica Fan | 08/03/2012 at 10:45 AM
I agree with the landlady. Who'd want that "music" blaring in their building (it's always deafeningly played).
Posted by: Richard | 08/03/2012 at 11:20 AM
With there being so few rentals in T.O. and here in Vancouver the landlord can pick & choose to his/hers hear content But this landlord should have asked them, face to face - practice much???? That's all that had to be done. Dumb landlord.
Posted by: Pirjo | 08/03/2012 at 01:38 PM
Ontario has laws against discriminating on the grounds of owning pets so other forms of discrimation are probably illegal too. These folk probably have grounds for a lawsuit. I have no use for Metal but these sound like decent enough folk who happen to like a certain form of music. Can you imagine what would happen if I refused a potential tenant on the grounds they like Rap, which I happen to hate? That would be discrimination plain and simple.
Posted by: Peg | 08/03/2012 at 01:39 PM
The folks pointing out how hard it is to evict tenants also have a point. I had forgotten about that side of it. My friend had to fight for months to kick out a pair of lousy deadbeats who had been convicted of dealing drugs in his building and hadn't paid rent for months. The laws need to be changed to give landlords a little more freedom kicking out bums but protecting tenants from unscrupulous slumlords at the same time.
Posted by: Peg | 08/03/2012 at 02:01 PM
I am a female in my late 40's and I would rent to them. Most people in bands want to keep their private life and music life separate. These are 2 hard working people who just want to come home from work and relax just like a cello player would. Maybe they don't listen to their own music.
Posted by: at least its not cuntry | 08/03/2012 at 03:56 PM
I think you all would have differant views if it was your building. I was a super for 15 years and the trouble to evict someone was huge. That is why these things happen. When the government did away with damage deposits everything went down hill. This is a result of that law being removed. She's protecting her business and nothing more just like any of out there would.....
Posted by: joe | 08/03/2012 at 07:52 PM
is this metal humm i think metallica or pantera or acdc or ozzy osbourne anyway you get the point heavy metal has become a bunch of scream iron maiden had plenty of money and sucess but did not do this crap we could still be able to understand the words and discrimination for rent is all over quebec and canada new law need to be apply
Posted by: jean lachapelle | 08/03/2012 at 09:39 PM
I agree with the landlord. It's her building and her choice of renters!!
Posted by: Murray | 08/06/2012 at 09:54 AM