Archive for the ‘Landlord and Tenant Questions and Answers’ Category

Join The Huge and Powerful Tenant Rally At The Ministry of Housing March 12th! – Tenants Dare Speak Truth To Power!

Sunday, March 8th, 2020

March 12 is the Date For Change!

I am not a member of this group but I sure do admire them. These are hard working class people who are willing to sacrifice their time and money to fight for social justice.  Because I admire them so much I want to make sure all Tenants come and fight against rules that harm good working Tenants and support parasitic landlords who prey on us.

Join ACORN members and allies from across Ontario to demand real solutions to the housing crisis.

Rents are rising out of control – we need rent control on ALL buildings and protections on the rent between tenancies, so landlords can’t evict tenants then jack up the rent.

WHEN: Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 1 PM – 3 PM

WHERE: Ministry of Housing (777 Bay Street) in Toronto

ACORN members from Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, and Peel will be coming together to demand action. RSVP by contacting your local ACORN office.

East York “Represents” and Ready For War

We Are Preparing All Over Ontario!

Etobicoke Ready To Fight For Tenant Rights

What Are The Demands?

-No more rent increases for existing tenants. Ever!

-No rent increase between tenants moving. End the tenant holocaust of huge rent increases when tenants move out!

-Landlords must be licensed!

-We need criminal and credit checks on landlords to be mandatory!

-Landlords must have at least an accredited bachelor degree. We need a minimum educational background (Bachelors Degree) to become a landlord!

-Landlords must pass a criminal record check.  Are you a crook, no landlord license for you jail bird!

-Landlords must provide a credit and criminal check and proof of ownership to all tenant applicants who request it.

-Working with the Human Rights Commission all ‘refused applications” will require a Hearing if the declined Tenant applicant demands it.

-All landlords must put $5000.00 into a government fund so any tenant judgments will be paid from this fund immediately upon a judgement!

Tenants Are No Longer Weak And Disorganized

We Are ready to fight for our Human Rights

We Were Weak But Now We Are Strong!

Fix Toronto Community Housing NOW!

No help for my Autistic Kid, No Help With Housing, I will Fight!

We Need A New Ministry of Tenant Security NOW!

This needs to be a new branch of government.  It will be called the Ministry of Tenant Security.

This new branch of the provincial government will oversee all issues brought forth by Tenants.

Landlords cheating Tenants and Tenant Vs. Landlord Tribunals

This will include Tenant only tribunals to sue landlords for things such as poor maintenance, illegal entrance, rude and insulting behavior, proud behavior, looking down on Tenants.

It will also create a new police force that will help Tenants protect our rights and jail bad landlords who break the rule such as entering our homes without proper notice (one year in jail for a first time offense).

Join The Tenant Rally For Winning!

The usual landlord groups do nothing but kiss the asses of the landlords. Acorn and their allies like us are holding people accountable and we will do it!

The System Is Broken – Time for RADICAL ACTION TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES TO HELP TENANTS SURVIVE!

COME MARCH 12TH  TO THE MINISTRY AND DEMAND JUSTICE!

 

Always Rent “Inclusive” Of Utilities (Means Your Landlord Pays For The Utilities You Use, Not You)

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020

With Rising Costs It’s Essential For Tenants To Make Sure Your Landlord Is Paying Your Bills, Not You!

Many tenants are dealing with harsh weather this winter.  Whether it’s rain, hale, or snow storms and freezing temperatures.

With the increased costs of heating your home it can take a huge bite out of your monthly budget.

While your landlord is soaking up the sun and enjoying the beach in Hawaii, Florida, Cuba or some other tropical paradise using your rent money, tenants are struggling to cover our rising costs!

Problems continue into the summer, where electrical costs for fans and air conditioners are rising fast.

Landlords can afford to get away from heatwaves by traveling to northern locations, while tenants have to sweat it out in our rental homes. And costs are going to rise dramatically according to CBC News!

Always Get Your Landlord To Pay Your Bills.

Many tenants are not aware that some landlords will rent out the property as “inclusive” of utilities. This means that you only pay the rent each month and the landlord pays for your heat, gas, electricity, etc.

Why Should You Make Your Landlord Pay Your Utility Bills?

There are two main reasons.

(1) It Gives You Stability With Your Expenses

Why should you demand this? Because energy costs are just going up, up, up. If you get an “inclusive” deal your expenses are stable because landlords can only increase the rent according to the government guideline.

(2) Once This Is The Lease The Landlord Can’t Change It

Landlords can’t demand you change the leases terms, so if you get an “inclusive” lease the landlord is powerless to change it.  So while his costs will go up, yours won’t (except for the small rent increase, which in 2020 is only 2.2% while energy costs might go up 10-20-30%!)

Offer Your Potential Landlord Higher Rent, But Make Sure It’s “Inclusive”

When you see this as we explained, it’s very important to make sure you find a rental where you are only responsible for paying the rent.

Many landlords are money-hungry monsters who view you not as a human being, but as a cash cow entering their slaughterhouse.

So use their greed against them!

Offer a bit more rent in exchange for an “inclusive” deal. You will end up the winner at the end, especially if you are going to stay in your rental home for a long time.

Getting An Inclusive Deal Can Lead You To Save Thousands of Dollars!

The media says many home-owners are struggling to pay their heating bills this winter. So think about how serious this if you are renting and on a budget. You need to make sure you get this deal to protect yourself and protect your financial future.

Let your wealthy landlord deal with rising energy costs (they are rich) instead of you (who is struggling to survive). Climate change is scary and your landlord needs to pay to prevent it.

Tips and Tricks To Get The Lease Deal You Need To Survive And Thrive!

Here are some tips if you are dealing with a landlord who wants YOU to pay (and face financial insecurity, and put all the risk on you!)

Some key phrases that greedy landlords who are used to bullying and exploiting tenants “like to hear.”

“I’m barely ever home so my utility costs will always be low.”

“It’s just me moving in, so one person can’t use much power.” (bring in other people after you get the key)

“I understand your concerns so will pay you more rent to make you safe. That’s fair for both sides”

“I am so busy at work, I don’t even cook at home. I order food.”

“I’m so busy with business travel I will barely even be here.”

“Because I want the place let’s raise your rent price by an extra $50/month so I can move in fast.” (Or offer $100 or more, it will still end up saving you money!)

Get The Lease Signed And Protect Yourself! You Win!!!

The landlord might be unhappy once you move in and the costs are higher than they expected.  But this is a business and landlords are getting rich off of your hard work and struggles.

If your landlord is unhappy then they should become better business people and not expect tenants to lay down and let them screw us without us fighting back!

Ontario Tenants Protect Yourselves By Making The Landlord Pay Your Bills!

By only paying “rent” you are protected by the Residential Tenancies Act and the Landlord and Tenant Board.

If you agree to pay for the power you use you are vulnerable and NOT PROTECTED!

Help A Group Of Great Tenants Who Are Fighting For Justice

Friday, February 21st, 2020

Donate To The 394 Dovercourt Tenant Defense Fund Now!

Donate today to help us beat eviction from our homes!!!

For the past two years, we the tenants of 394 Dovercourt Road have been fighting renoviction. To continue the fight, we need your support. We have expenses related to  our landlord’s case to evict us at the Landlord and Tenant Board. We now need to hire the services of professionals to provide expert testimony at our upcoming hearing in February 2020.

Background

AIPL Canada  the building at 394 Dovercourt Road in 2017. AIPL offered tenants small sums of money to move out. When tenants declined, AIPL issued eviction notices. AIPL then applied to the Landlord and Tenant Board to evict all thirteen tenants. The Board dismissed the evictions  only for the landlord to apply to evict tenants a second time.

This is renoviction.

We’ve all heard the stories. The data backs them up. Investors buy rental properties in “up and coming” areas. They evict the sitting tenants, renovate units, and more than double the rent.

In Ontario, tenants’ “right of first refusal” is not upheld. On paper, landlords should give tenants the option to return to their unit once renovations are completed. In reality, the landlord rents the unit to a new tenant at a higher rent. The evicted tenant has no recourse to regain possession.

The Toronto Star  has documented how the tenants of 795 College Street found this out the hard way.

AIPL claims it has to alter the units at 394 Dovercourt. They say the work is so extensive that it requires tenants to move out. Tenants believe this is nothing more than a pretext to their eviction. While the wiring in the building is old, it is in good working condition. The real reason AIPL wants the tenants out is so they can raise rent on the vacant units without limit.

 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/f32xf-394-dovercourt-tenant-defense-fund?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet

Is there a Grow-Op in your Rental Property?

Saturday, June 11th, 2011

Because the government can take your property if there is

May 2011

 

The Crown can seize a King Township home used to grow marijuana, even though no criminal charges were ever filed in the case, Ontario’s highest court has ruled.  But, the government shouldn’t be able to take property without involving its owner in an investigation, the spokesperson for a landlord organization said in the aftermath of the ruling. (more…)

Do I Need a Lease?

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

Answer: Yes, you need a great one!

 

April 15th, 2011

 

What Makes A Good Lease?

 

As a seasoned veteran of hundreds of battles before the Landlord and Tenant Board, it’s clear: something is rotten in Ontario. Is it the legislation governing tenancies? The Landlord and Tenant Board? Irresponsible landlords? Predatory tenants?

(more…)