The East York Tenants Group is made up of concerned tenants, in East York (Toronto, Canada). The main purpose of this site is to keep tenants updated on current rental regulations and issues that might affect their tenancy. Hopefully our efforts will ensure that tenants enjoy comfortable rental accommodations and that landlords comply with existing property standards.
Nowadays, very few traditional tenants associations exist in East York and across the GTA. Some organizations that represent tenants and tenants issues are not as effective as they should be. As a result, tenants feel powerless and vulnerable when dealing with landlords who violate property standards and circumvent the Residential Tenancies Act. We hope to help fill this void brought about by the vanished tenants associations and have created this blog site as an avenue for sharing information about tenants’ struggles and actions, neglected properties, tenant-friendly governmental initiatives, helpful organizations and resources available to tenants to assist in improving their living conditions.
We recommend that you review the RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES ACT where you will find useful links and other helpful information on how to deal with various offences and violations covered under this Act. We also hope that this blog will foster better communication among East York neighbours in their quest to ensure landlords comply with property standards. We hope that the information provided by this blog will assist tenants in their efforts to improve rental housing in Toronto East York and help them to become empowered. We look forward to receiving your feedback.
We encourage you to share our blog site link with friends and neighbours and to add your comments. We can also post your photos of outstanding repair orders at our site. Please come back and visit us often to check out what tenants have to say about ongoing Landlord and Tenant issues.
NOTE: For current information on News and Events refer to these links in our blog:
Events: https://wp.me/Pia0J-sd
News Update: https://wp.me/Pia0J-17x
CONTACT US AT: eastyorktenantsgroup@gmail.com
East York Tenants Group
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Tenants Network Toronto (T.N.T.) is a non-profit, volunteer lead network, is not a new organization but a “network of tenant association presidents who meet semi-annually and discuss tenant issues and policies in collaboration with others, membership is free and we would like East York Tenant Group to join us. Send us an email at TOTenantsNetwork@gmail.com
Hi there;
Just a brief update to my previous comments “About Us” where I wrote about my recent move.
I am happy to report that the ‘raccoon problem’ has been resolved. I secured some metal screens and the landlord paid to have them installed. Result: No more B&E by those pesky raccoons.
The fire escape problem is still unresolved. Apparently the landlord is waiting for a report from the Fire Department. I wonder how many months that’ll take? Who knows how long it’ll take for the landlord to act on the report!
Will keep you posted.
Inga
I had a chance to visit the East York Tenants Group again and am very impressed with the additional information available. You guys (the volunteer group) are doing a wonderful job.
I wonder if any of the local radio stations will offer you or the East York community free air-time to plug your site to spread the word among East Yorkers.
Have you advertised it in all the community centres of East York, i.e. Main Square Community Centre, 91 Secord Community Centre, etc. ? It might be a good idea to put it on their notice boards. Also, it might be helpful to inform the front line person at the community centres answering phone calls from tenants regarding their problem, i.e. personal, landlords and tenants etc. so that they can direct them to this site.
Great work!
Well, first things first — congratulations on posting the new web site.
GREAT!
Next, let me write a bit about my recent moving experience. This, to hopefully help other tenants fight unreasonable landlords.
I recently moved from a high rise to an old house with 6 rental units. It’s in a nice part of town. I largely moved for the location and to be closer to the water (Lake Ontario) and some good friends. The whole thing went through Century 21, a reputable agent. I, along with my friends, inspected the unit before agreeing to rent it. We checked that the water taps, shower, toilet, etc. worked. We checked the windows, incl. the screens, and made note of what needed fixing before I moved in. We checked the exit to the fire escape. Big enough for me to easily jump out, and – my hidden agenda – utilize said fire escape as a small balcony. (I’m on the top floor.)
We did not check that the toilet was properly secured to the floor. Should have!
We did not make inquiries about wildlife problems, such as raccoons entering the unit at night. Should have!
We did not check that there was proper drainage from the driveway after a rainfall. Should have!
Bottom line: I have had to fight my landlord to get him to fix the run-off from the driveway so I don’t have to navigate a major waterway to get to and from my car each time it rains – which has been a lot this summer!
I have had to fight to get some (supposedly) animal proof netting installed in the kitchen and living room windows. This battle is still going on as the first set of supposedly animal proof netting didn’t last 2 nights before the raccoons again broke through it.
The landlord also decided to replace the window leading out to the fire escape. Sounded good, except it would be replaced with one that effectively cut my escape route in half. Not good!
I expressed my opposition to this totally illogical move. Where was safety and common sense in all of this, I asked? Was told it was a done deal. New window was bought and paid for and it met fire code regulations! Well, it didn’t, as it turned out. It simply didn’t make any sense to me and I didn’t cherish the idea of having to escape head first in case of an emergency, landing on my head on a metal fire escape. I served notice to my landlord that I’d like to double check with the Toronto Fire Department. I was informed by TFD that the landlord could not replace an already approved existing window (escape route) with one that was smaller — which was in effect what the landlord was trying to do.
I served notice to my landlord that I’d like to double check with the Toronto Fire Department. I was informed by TFD that the landlord could not replace an already approved existing window (escape route) with one that was smaller — which was in effect what the landlord was trying to do. The end result was that the TFD sent an inspector and my new window is now on hold until the TFD report is in.
Regarding the “lake” in the driveway, I did not hesitate to make reference to the City by-law that refers to standing waters and the risk of West Nile Virus and how that is a No-No. No sensible landlord would want the City to send out inspectors to deal with such a health risk. Neither does a landlord want any media attention that might be brought on by a determined tenant who sees or experiences problems that need fixing.
As for the loose toilet, I went to Canadian Tire and bought a few bolts to secure the toilet myself, rather than wait for my landlord to do it. Small stuff not worth fighting over.
The lessons I want to send with this are to fight for what you feel is right, apply common sense, consider your own safety and comfort, and do not be afraid of contacting the appropriate authorities to get confirmation, clarification or simply useful information on matters that affect you.
Never be afraid to contact the appropriate authorities (TFD, Toronto Health Dept., etc.) or political representative (Councillor, MPP or MP as the case may be) for assistance.
Know your rights and fight to uphold, protect and enforce them.
May my experiences be of some assistance to other tenants who are fighting unreasonable landlords, never mind slumlords!