The Park Vista Tenants Association was established to represent the interests of their members and improve living conditions for everyone. The TA has worked closely with the Federation. They are in the process of challenging an Above Guideline Rent Increase.

Their website is a wealth of information on the law, current news and local/ community events. There is a lot of practical information about privacy and getting repairs done, as well as links and contact information for useful resources and agencies.

Apart from being an active hub for residents, the Tenant Association exemplifies what tenants can accomplish by working together!

Visit the Park Vista Tenants Association at:

http://parkvista-ta.blogspot.ca/

The 45 Dunfield Avenue Tenants’ Association was established in May 2015 in response to various concerns from residents.

Given the rapid development of the Yonge and Eglinton neighbourhood, and the proposed developments for the property, the goal of the Tenants’ Association is to ensure that the voice of residents is united and heard.

There are consistent meetings packed with engaged tenants. The association hosts regular events and fundraisers, such as a flea market fundraiser in the Fall. Their website provides a wealth of information about the TA’s activities, ongoing development and tenant concerns.

Visit the 45 Dunfield TA at:

http://45dunfieldta.com/

Woodgreen Housing Help Centre provides assistance to individuals and families 16 years of age and older who require help in finding decent, safe and affordable housing. They operate on a drop in basis so there is no need to make an appointment. They have the ability to process new Housing Connections applications (for subsidized housing), as well as updating and making changes to existing applications. They are connected directly to the Housing Connections computer system, which allows them access to the waiting list and can provide applicants with detailed information on their application, the current waiting list as well as making changes to the buildings tenants have chosen. They provide copies of the weekly rental housing list of affordable apartments and rooms in Toronto. They can provide transportation assistance for housing searches.  

         Drop In Hours: Monday ‚Äì Friday 9:00am-4:00pm

         Where: 650 Queen Street East

This is a drop in service; no appointment is necessary.

For more information please contact:

Monika Linton 416-645-6000 ext. 1898, 1175

Samantha Graham 416-645-6000 ext. 1891, 1175

Finding an apartment in Toronto is serious business. It's a competitive market with seemingly endless options, and hundreds of would-be tenants vying for the same places as you.

This article in BlogTO provides  some useful tips to help you get the jump on your next place:

http://www.blogto.com/city/2015/08/10_tips_for_finding_an_apartment_in_toronto/

You can also call the hotline for additional help and resources: 416-921-9494 or check out this useful resource at:

http://torontotenants.org/resources/organizing-documents/looking-apartment-quick-guide

Every year, the tenant hotline receives numerous calls from tenants being made ill from the poor indoor air quality  in their buildings. Most of these individuals suffer from environmental sensitivities, and are particularly sensitive to contaminants in the air.

To learn more about environmental sensitivities, visit the Centre for Equality Rights in Accomodation website at:

http://www.equalityrights.org/cera/?page_id=674

You can also find resources in various second languages at:

http://torontotenants.org/resources/other-documents

You can also call the tenant hotline at 416-921-9494!

Despite paying their own hydro, tenants at 521 Finch Avenue West are feeling the heat from their landlord, Metcap Living, who is demanding tenants remove their airconditioning units or face legal action. The article delves into the law surrounding use of airconditioners in the summer, and quotes both Geordie and a representative from ACTO.

While there is nothing in the law which requires landlords to provide airconditioning, tenants are able to install airconditioners as part and parcel of their reasonable enjoyment of the unit and for health reasons. A monthly charge for airconditioners might be allowed if it was included in the original lease.

As part of a recent review, the city is looking into other measures such as requiring landlords to provide cooling rooms when the temperature reaches a certain threshold and incentives to  induce landlords to retrofit ageing buildings with roof coating and window films. These solutions were developed in places like France and Italy where heat waves in 2003 killed thousands.

To read the full article, visit:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/08/05/tenants-told-to-remove-ac-as-temperatures-soar.html

For an overview of the law, visit the Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) website at:

http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=acaece29df8d07c95ef84a763&id=3e65612efe

You are always able to call the tenant hotline for information and referrals: 416-921-9494

Finding an affordable apartment in Toronto's market can be difficult on its own, but throw scammers into the mix, and it can be treacherous. Matt Galloway, host of CBC’s Metro Morning, spoke with Tika Simone, she is a freelance event promoter and music blogger in Toronto. Then Matt spoke with Geordie Dent on the Federation’s outlook on the state of the rental market.

For the full interview, visit:

http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/episodes/2015/07/28/rental-scam/

A corporate landlord has agreed to pay $50,000 to a group of Parkdale tenants who accused the company of neglecting their apartments.

Last year, 35 tenants filed joint applications with the Landlord and Tenant Board alleging that their landlord, Akelius Canada Ltd., had reduced their services and substantially interfered with the enjoyment of their properties by removing on-site superintendents and replacing them with a tenant hotline.

The settlement involved tenants at four properties: 99 Tyndall Ave., 77 Spencer Ave., and 95 and 188 Jameson Ave. In their submissions to the board, the residents alleged that removal of the superintendents caused a litany of maintenance problems, including repair requests going unaddressed for months, irregular garbage pickup and an outbreak of pest infestations.

Cole Webber is a community legal worker at Parkdale Community Legal Services, the group that represented the tenants in the case. He said the settlement is proof that renters are at risk for having their rights violated if they don’t band together. “I think the point is that the tenants wouldn’t have gotten anything had they not organized in their buildings and brought the fight to Akelius,” he said.

Geordie Dent, the executive director of the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations, described the settlement as “a shot across the bow” for Akelius, and said it was a warning to landlords that they can’t reduce services to tenants without compensating them.

The settlement works out to just over $1,428 for each participating tenant.

To read the full article, visit:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/07/27/tenants-work-together-receive-compensation-after-superintendents-removed.html

Landlords and tenants across Ontario can now file the most common Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) applications online, anytime from anywhere.

The e-File tool guides users through a series of steps, and then generates an application. Landlords and tenants can also pay their fees online and schedule the first available hearing date.

Four common application types can be e-filed:  two for landlords and two for tenants, which together account for 80% of all applications received at the LTB. 

e-File: http://www.sjto.gov.on.ca/ltb/e-file/ 

is one more way for tenants and landlords to submit applications. Paper applications can still be mailed, faxed or dropped off at one of the eight LTB offices or personally delivered to more than 60 ServiceOntario locations across the province.

The two applications that tenants can file online are:

*         T2: Application about Tenant Rights

*         T6: Tenant Application about Maintenance

The LTB receives more than 80,000 applications a year.

Landlord and Tenant Board e-File is one way Social Justice Tribunals Ontario is delivering on its commitment to provide fair, effective, timely and accessible dispute resolution.

For more information, visit sjto.ca/ltb

A recent Toronto Star Investigation exposed a long-established practice of charging tenants for two months rent (for failing to give notice) after evicting them. Metcap ( a major Toronto landlord) would later report the debt to credit bureaus when the tenant was unable to pay thus creating additional hurdles for already vulnerable tenants by ruining credit. This has had lasting effects for affected tenants who are unable to secure additional credit or obtain suitable housing.

Although Metcap points to a now-outdated Divisional Court ruling to support the practice, tenant advocates and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing have argued that the Residential Tenancies Act does not permit the practice.

Following public outcry and intervention from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Metcap has agreed to work with the two tenants who were the subject of the Star investigation and to temporarily suspend the practice. The reaction has been mixed with tenants expressing both relief and some trepidation. However, Metcap has not agreed to discontinue the practice altogether, claiming it falls in a legal “gray area.”

While these are important steps in the right direction, the fight continues to ensure greater accountability and compliance from landlords, while guaranteeing that marginalized tenants do not fall through the cracks.

You can read the articles in the Toronto Star here:

Landlord evicts tenants, then pursues them for two months’ rent for not giving notice:

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/06/21/landlord-evicts-tenants-then-pursues-them-for-two-months-rent-for-not-giving-notice.html

Ontario commits to closing eviction debt loophole:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/06/22/ontario-commits-to-closing-eviction-debt-loophole.html

Landlord Agrees to Forgive Eviction Debts:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/06/26/landlord-agrees-to-forgive-eviction-debts.html