Comments for East York Tenants Group

Comment on - Problem Tenants by Erica Lewis

Erica Lewis — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:31:10 +0000

Thanks for your thoughtful words, Ro_R. I should have mentioned in my first post that two of the three noisy neighbours have moved out, but no thanks to the landlord. He didn’t evict them. Unfortunately, my upstairs neighbour must be out of his mind. It sounds like he’s moving out everyday. Scraping, dragging, thumping, pounding, banging, rumbling, for up to three hours. It sounds like bowling balls have tumbled out across the floor. It’s drastic. My light fixtures rattle and my floor vibrates. Sometimes it makes me jump and triggers a panic attack– something that I already have a problem with. Even listening to music on headphones doesn’t help because it vibrates in the floor and I’ve even been startled just by the sensations in my feet. There is a gym in the floor below me but on the opposite side of the hallway. The super said, one time when I said the thumping was hurting my head, literally, that it was someone running on the treadmill. I said, “Well that proves it’s not a soundproof building.” That noise is someone running on a treadmill below me? Seriously? It’s going to be difficult to get the supers to stop coming up with explanations for my upstairs neighbour’s noise by saying that it’s not him.

My landlord is building an eight story apartment being right in front of my building, something which he neglected to tell me. I had met him in person before I moved in and had told him I was anxious to get into his building because of the soundproofing as I am intolerant of noisy neighbours. It’s worse when you are in poor health and basically homebound. I only go out for a few hours about three or four times a week because it’s such a hassle being in public in a wheelchair. that means I hardly ever get a break form the noise. I can’t even go out for awhile to get away from it. The construction started four months after I moved in. I told the landlord I was very angry he had not warned me and he said it was not his obligation to tell me I was about to move into a construction site! First there was three weeks of dynamite blasting the bedrock. But far worse was an industrial pneumatic jackhammer going DU DU DU DU DU, shaking the whole building and pounding in my ears (sometimes I had to cover them) seven hours a day, five days a week, for ten weeks. I know I’ve gone off topic a bit but it was to illustrate how bad the noisy from the site is because the super is using that as an explanation to.

When I told the super there was an incredibly loud noise coming from my neighbour, he said it was the construction site. I have a “log book” that I am using to write down the date and time when these noise marathons happen and as soon as the new building is finished I am going to consider dealing with it. I hesitate because I have had this backlash at other apartments. Sometimes, when a tenant knows you’ve complained they get revenge. Things like one really big BOOM! every hour or so. The super will never “catch them in the act” and they know it. As well, the tenant may move out because he doesn’t want to be in a building where a complainer is cramping his style and someone even worse could move in.

(big sigh…)

Comment on - Problem Tenants by RO_R

RO_R — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:18:57 +0000

It was very disturbing to read about your awful experience trying to resolve the noise issue. I have been through something similar and am thankful that we in Ontario have legislation and regulations to address those violations. But despite the legislation and regulations it can be a very harrowing and challenging process dealing with the Landlord and Tenant Board.The landlords tell lies and distort facts. Contact your local councillor and also your MPP for help.

Comment on - Problem Tenants by Erica Lewis

Erica Lewis — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:02:08 +0000

Previous posts here are two years old but I wish to comment anyway. I live in Halifax, not Toronto and we have no T2 form to file with the Nova Scotia Residential Tenancies Board. In fact, there is absolutely nothing the Tenancy Board can or does do about noisy tenants. I moved into my current apartment because the ad said exactly, “Superior soundproofing with double-ceiling construction.” I thought, finally, I will be free from the hell of constant noise I’ve endured for years at every other place. It turned out to be the noisiest place I’ve ever lived in. Repeated complaints in writing were not dealt with. Eventually the landlord became abusive, once bawling me out in front of the super for 45 minutes, making inappropriate comments about my disability (I’m in a wheelchair) and about my social life. I have a lot of health problems and was told that I’m obviously too sick to live in the normal environment of an apartment building to which I replied, “That’s why I moved into a soundproof one, or so I thought.” The landlord even offered me $1000 to move out! I have been hoping to move out but wheelchair accessible buildings with rents I can afford are very rare in Halifax, so here I am stuck. Recently a large window in my unit cracked because the landlord failed to inform me he noticed there was a problem with the window covering I had put up– it was directly against the glass and caused it to overheat. He claims I was told to remove it but I wasn’t and now I’m off to the Tenancy Board because he expects me to reimburse him for the cost of replacement: $787.75. What a piece of !@#$% he is!

Comment on Property Taxes Decrease and Rent Reduction in 2012 by ladyginger44

ladyginger44 — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:20:27 +0000

While rent controls might result in lower rents, the annoying issue of lack of repairs should be taken to the Landlord and Tenant Board as soon as possible. You should not tolerate these awful slumlords. Get together with a group in your building and file a T6 with the Landlord and Tenant Board – you can request a rent rebate as well as request that the landlord pay a fine for the violations. Go to these links for information about how to get repairs done and also how to file a T6:

http://www.torontotenants.org/sites/fmta/files/publications/Getting%20Repairs%20Done%20RTA.pdf
and

http://www.ltb.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/csc/@ltb/@forms/documents/form/stel02_111581.pdf

http://eastyorktenantsgroup.com/residential-tenancy-act/form-t6-application/

Comment on Property Taxes Decrease and Rent Reduction in 2012 by kamala

kamala — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:38:02 +0000

.79%, well this is somewhat of a good news, should have been more. I have a slum lord who refuses to do repairs and this dive is not worth the money… bring back rent control! please! Happy New Year!

Comment on Property Taxes Decrease and Rent Reduction in 2012 by Elia

Elia — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:51:57 +0000

This information is very important – tenants should be wary of those landlords who tell them it is nonsense and to toss out the noficiation of rent reduction from the City of Toronto. In the past a number of tenants in some building were misled and missed out on the reduction.

Comment on Fire Safety in Apartment Buildings by Myra

Myra — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:49:46 +0000

I am a former smoker who smoked for over 25 years and am so glad I gave it up. I have more money in my wallet and am no long damaging my health or those around me. It is all well and good to talk about rights but ‘your rights’ should not trump ‘my rights’. Throwing lighted butts over the balcony is so irresponsible and franklyi quick sick. Proper insulation of apartment buildings should be mandatory for those landlords. It is hard for the elderly to give up smoking as htey have probably been smoking for decades probably over 50 years. Yet they are the ones most vulnerable when there is a fire — some are disabled or not mobile enough to get out of a building quickly. More emphasis should be put on educating residents on fire safety information by posting easy to read safety information in apartment buildings.

Comment on Fire Safety in Apartment Buildings by Barbarella

Barbarella — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:47:35 +0000

All buildings should meet fire safety codes. But storing items on the balcony can be a serious fire hazard. Some people hoard stuff in their unit and their balcony overflowing with stuff scavenged from the streets or from buildings where tenants moving out leave a lot of broken items at the back of the building. This stuff is often infested iwth bedbugs. STOP HOARDING STUFF AND BRINGING BACK OTHER PEOPLE’S GARBAGE INTO THE BUILDING.

Comment on Fire Safety in Apartment Buildings by Don C

Don C — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:43:34 +0000

Why on earth aren’t fire regulations consistent for ALL buildings? It was a relief to hear tthat no one died in that Dawes Rd. building but something has to be done to improve safety regulations there. So many of the buildings on Dawes Rd have all kinds of maintenance and repiars issues and also are overrun with bed bugs, cockroaches and mice. Do they all have the same owners and could that be the reason for all the problems ?

Comment on Property Taxes Decrease and Rent Reduction in 2012 by JJB

JJB — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:40:33 +0000

A reduction in rent no matter how small makes me happy. The next 12 months I cna save almost $90

Comment on Fire Safety in Apartment Buildings by Spunkymama

Spunkymama — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:25:32 +0000

Yes, my comment is short and sweet (or not!!!): It is inconsiderate, selfish and ignorant of anyone to throw or spit (yes, spit!) ANYTHING over the balcony. Whatever you are expelling will land on someone else’s balcony, perhaps even their head! How would you like that happening to you?
Smoking is a filthy, dirty, unhealthy habit, but it’s a personal choice and I respect that. However, I do not respect, nor do I approve of, anyone throwing butts (or spitting, as I’ve seen happen) over the balcony railing. That part of a dirty habit is endangering other tenants, as well as being inconsiderate and unhealthy. I have on several occasions found butts on my balcony and it scares the daylight out of me, as I know cigarette butts do not extinguish the way cigar butts do. They keep on smoldering and can easily ignite anything flammable that tenants may be storing on their balconies – especially in light of the fact most can’t get lockers! Another problem for another time!!!
Sorry if I sound frustrated but I simply have little patience or tolerance for such degree of ignorance. An apartment fire is not to be taken lightly. It can ruin a family’s life and incur a great financial burden — all because of someone’s thoughtless, selfish act! Merry Christmas!!! May you have a (fire)safe one!

Comment on ONTARIO PROVINCIAL ELECTION 2011 by Dan

Dan — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:12:57 +0000

Nothing much about affordable housing by the leaders in this election. Vacancy Recontrol plays a major role in skyrocketing rents but that topic is a no mans land for all politicians. And the vacancy rate is very low at the moment. The entire world is in a financial mess and Who ever wins this election can’t do much about the worsening economic situation and the provincial deficit. One of the reasons Ontario is in this financial mess is that governments at all levels are overstaffed with a bunch of overpaid inept incompetents who got the job in first place because they’knew someone’. Too much bloated bureacracy.

Comment on ONTARIO PROVINCIAL ELECTION 2011 by JoJo

JoJo — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:10:14 +0000

Jobs are disappearing. Many of us have to make do with temporary jobs that barely pay a living wage. Most of my salary is eaten up in my rent and it keep skyrocketing. Everything is going up in price except our wages. When candidates come to the door they are full of smiles and vague promises that we know they can’t keep. I am fed up with the lot of them. Why can’t any of them come up with good ideas to fix the economy? The whole world is in a mess.

Comment on ONTARIO PROVINCIAL ELECTION 2011 by Christine

Christine — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:09:24 +0000

I am so dissolutioned with all the politicians. They insult our intelligence. Too much tax grabbing from ordinary people who can barely afford basic living costs while an entitled elite class get preferential treatment and all kinds of tax breaks. Too many empty promises they know just won’t be able to keep.

Comment on ONTARIO PROVINCIAL ELECTION 2011 by LM

LM — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:05:54 +0000

You’re right on the button…. many of us are having a hard time struggling to balance rental costs and feeding our families. I am paying more than 65 percent of my income in rent and thanks to food banks I can supplement my grocery bill. Why isn’t affordable housing a priority in this election?

Comment on MLS AUDITING PROGRAM FOR 2011 – Update by East York Tenants Group

East York Tenants Group — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:00:13 +0000

The East York Tenants Group were updated on this issue. Councillor Janet Davis’ office was contacted and they in turn passed the complaint on to the Inspector at MLS. The property manager and the elevator technicians investigated and discovered that there was a broken piece of magnet lodged in the elevator system. Apparently that was the source of the noise and it only affected units located alongside the elevators between the 4th-8th floors. The puzzling question is how that piece of magnet got lodged in the mechanics of the elevator!!! Tenants have expressed relief that no more noise and appreciate the intervention by Janet Davis’ office.

Comment on 2012 Rent Increase Guideline by Anna

Anna — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:54:23 +0000

I agree the FRPO comment is nonsense. Very important point you raised about capital expenditures and landlords going to the Landlord & Tenants board to apply for rent increases above the guideline. Landlords have legal means to recoup their expenses so what FRPO is saying is rubbish.

Comment on 2012 Rent Increase Guideline by river purtle-whyte

river purtle-whyte — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 22:20:38 +0000

The FRPO is misleading in its statement about capital improvements: landlords can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for rent increases based on capital expenditures, and do not need to rely on the normal rent increases for such projects. The FRPO line about such limited rent increase (the official 3.1% vs. the 7.0 that FRPO wants) leading to decreased quality of rental experience is pure hogwash.

Comment on 2012 Rent Increase Guideline by BenB

BenB — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 19:20:35 +0000

I agree entirely that there should be a more balanced method to calculate annual rent increases. These horrible landlords who ignore repairs and maintenance should invest their money in the stock market. No tax breaks or incentives or bailout for them! We need more decent landlords !

Comment on - Problem Landlords list by A Tenant

A Tenant — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:04:36 +0000

I think the government should allow tenants to make upgrades/renovations to their rental units which they can they deduct from their income taxes for that year. The same as they did for homeowners.

I live in an older building in Orangeville which is desperately in need of major repairs. We’ve had tenants fall and break arms due to the serious deterioration of our parking lot, among other ongoing problems. It’s time they allowed the tenants to have new flooring installed etc. and deduct the cost from their taxes.