(Check for update on the audit program here: MLS Auditing Program for 2011 )
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The first annual report released by the City of Toronto’s first Ombudsman contained a troubling statement about the “lack of effective communication between bureaucrats and public”. Check here to access the Ombudsman’s report. This lack of communication identified in the report has clearly been a source of great frustration for the public. In particular, it is a serious impediment to resolving landlord violations of property standards in multi-residential apartment buildings (MRAB). Hence this Continue Reading »
Posted in Apartment Issues, Auditing programme, MRAB, Municipal Licensing and Standards, Ombudsman final report, Property standards violations, Repairs and maintenance, Tenant complaints | Tagged Auditing programme, MRAB, Municipal Licensing and Standards, Ombudsman final report, Property Standards, Tenant complaints | 3 Comments »
Despite the ominous forecasts and dire warnings about the increasing seniors population and the burden that will place on social services we don’t hear much about practical solutions to deal with this challenge. Given the fact life expectancy has been steadily increasing, we have to accept there is a crisis looming that will impact not only pensions, health and Continue Reading »
Posted in Affordable housing, Baby boomers, Housing waiting list, Income inequality, Low income seniors, Mixed-use housing, Pensions, Rent-geared-to-income, Seniors housing, Subsidized housing | Tagged Affordable housing, Granny Flats, Housing waiting lists, Income inequality, Rent-Geared-Income, Seniors housing, Subsidized housing | 18 Comments »
The Annual Rent Increase Guideline and the Above Guideline Increase for 2010 have been announced. Much to no one’s surprise both rent increase guidelines are greater than those of 2009. The Annual Rent Increase Guideline has been raised from 1.8% to 2.1% and applies to a rent increase that begins any time between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010. This annual increase is intended to cover the Continue Reading »
Posted in 2010 Rent Increase Guideline, Above Guideline increase, Annual Guideline Rent Increase, Capital Expenditures, Consumer Price Index, Economy, Landlord and Tenant Board, Last Month Rent (LMR), Ontario Tenants Rights, Residential Tenancies Act, Smart meters, Statistics Canada, Utilities, Vacancy Decontrol | Tagged 2010 Rent Increase Guideline, Above Guideline increase, Annual Guideline Rent Increase, Capital Expenditures, Consumer Price Index, Ontario Tenants Rights, Residential Tenancies Act, Utilities, Vacancy Decontrol | 5 Comments »
By I. Aagaard, Guest Contributor
A recent article (Smart sub-meters) on the EYTG web site made references to an issue that’s been popping up recently: Smart Sub-Meters in apartment buildings.
I agree fundamentally with the notion of this “Pay Per Use” way of holding each of us responsible for our consumption of non-renewable resources, such as electricity. Continue Reading »
Posted in Above Guideline increase, Building Maintenance, Capital Expenditures, Conservation, Electricity, Energy Conservation, Environment, Greening, Hydro, Infrastructure, Lease Agreement, Politics, Retrofit, Smart meters, Sub-meters, Utilities | Tagged Building Maintenance, Capital Expenditures, Electricity, Energy Conservation, Environment, Politics, Retrofit, Sub-meters, Utilities | 3 Comments »
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has issued a ‘Decision and Order’ that will allow landlords to install ‘smart sub-metering systems’ for individual rental units. Smart sub-meters’ are devices that can be installed in individual apartments to monitor a tenant’s use of energy thereby allowing individual billing.
(Refer to this link for more details: http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2009/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-23859.pdf
The main reason behind this ‘Decision and Order’ is that landlords/ property owners have been installing ‘smart meters’ in residential and commercial complexes in the absence of regulations. Ostensibly the purpose of these ‘smart meters’ is to monitor the Continue Reading »
Posted in Above Guideline increase, Affordability, Annual Guideline Increase, Apartment Issues, Capital Expenditures, Electricity, Energy Conservation, Environment, Greening, Hydro, Lease Agreement, Ontario Energy Board, Retrofit, Smart meters, Sub-meters, Tenancy Agreement, Utilities | Tagged Above Guideline increase, Capital Expenditures, Electricity, Energy Conservation, Environment, Residential Tenancies Act, Retrofit, Smart sub-meters, Sub-meters, Tenancy Agreement | 7 Comments »
Recently we were notified that on Tuesday July 28, 2009, several tenants at 165 Barrington Avenue (Ranee Management) were victimized by an obviously well-planned and executed burglary that occurred during the daytime hours.
The notification received from the concerned tenants indicated that “the criminal(s) stole items to make quick sales. Items stolen included personal items such as jewellery, heirlooms, laptop computers, digital cameras, Continue Reading »
Posted in Apartment Issues, Apartment Safety, Apartment Security, Burglary, Compensation, Door locks, Ranee Management, Robbery, Safety, Safety and Security, Security, Security Camera, Security guards | Tagged 165 Barrington Ave, Burglary, Door locks, Ranee Management, Robbery, Safety, Security, Security guards | 9 Comments »
By I. Aagaard, Guest Contributor
Hi there:
I’m back! Me, with the previous Sustainable Affordability and MISSING: National Housing policy in Federal Elections! contributions. This time I’m here with a suggestion: That tenants collectively approach Ottawa and Queen’s Park for financial help so that we, too, can do our part in saving or creating jobs during these tough times. After all, if GM and Chrysler, to name a few, can get help from Messrs. Harper and McGuinty, then why can’t we?
Think about it! If our respective governments are prepared to help bail out big companies that are poster boys for a capitalist society, then Continue Reading »
Posted in Activism, Affordable housing, Bailout, Canada's Housing Policy, Environment, Home ownership, Politics, Seniors, Seniors housing, Tax breaks | Tagged Affordable housing, Bailout, Canada's Housing Policy, Economy, Granny Flats, Home ownership, Politics, Seniors housing, Sustainable affordability | 5 Comments »
Posted in Apartment Issues, Building Maintenance, Compensation, Complaints, Complaints letter, Eviction, Landlord and Tenant Board, Last Month Rent (LMR), Legal Assistance, Problem Landlords, Repairs, Repairs and maintenance, T2, T6, Tenants boot camp, Withholding rent | Tagged Apartment Issues, Building Maintenance, Compensation, Complaints letter, Eviction, Repairs, Residential Tenancies Act, T6 Application, Tenants boot camp, Withholding rent | 6 Comments »
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