August 10th, 2012
Toronto city council: Proposal could mean mandatory air conditioning for renters
What’s the Story?
Two members of Toronto City Council want to re-evaluate laws determining temperatures for rental units.
Isn’t there already a Law?
Yes, there are laws for minimum temperatures. This means landlords must maintain a certain temperature in their rentals during the Winter months.
So What Is the Concern?
Matlow’s motion could lead to legally mandatory air conditioners for ever tenant. He said his idea might “inconvenience” landlords, however “it’s not only totally worthwhile, I think it’s a basic right and expectation. It’s not only a quality of life issue it’s a basic health issue.”
Did He Discuss the Costs Involved For this “Idea”?
No.
Certainly Matlow Spoke about How this Would Conflict with His Proposals on Green Energy?
No.
New air conditioning units in all rental properties would lead to a vast increase in energy consumption.
Doesn’t the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) Cover This Already?
The RTA already allows landlords and tenants to agree to terms that would allow air conditioners to be installed. Tenants pay for the true costs of this service.
So Matlow’s Proposal Wants Landlords to Pay for What Tenants Can Already Get?
Yes. Tenants can get the service if they pay for it.
Matlow Wants Landlords to “Eat the Costs”
It appears so.
This Proposal Seems Silly and Harmful to Landlords and Tenants!
Yes again.
The Ontario Landlords Association hopes Toronto Council look at the big picture with this proposal. We ask them to take a look and give sincere consideration to the overall social /economic/environmental impact of their ideas.
Trying to curry tenant votes for the next election, at the expense of our environment and the landlords who provide housing to tenants all over Ontario, is short-sighted, selfish, and destructive.
We hope the Councillors realize this. We also hope voters realize it.
To discuss this issue welcome to the Ontario Landlord Forums. The debate over this issue can be found here.
