Posts Tagged ‘ontario landlords’

Invitation to Comment on Regulatory Registry Postings Related to Market Rental Housing

Thursday, May 18th, 2023

 

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing – Market Housing Division

777 Bay Street, 14th Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2J3

Tél: 416 585-6872


SUBJECT: Mavis Fung, Director, Market Housing Division

Invitation to Comment on Regulatory Registry Postings Related to Market Rental Housing

On April 6, 2023, the Ontario government introduced Bill 97, the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, which is the latest in a series of steps the government is taking to increase housing supply and help more Ontarians find a home they can afford.

The proposals in the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act would, if passed, help to ensure that the government reaches its goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2031.

The government is consulting municipalities, stakeholders and the public on the
proposed initiatives, including those related to market rental housing.

To that end, the ministry would like to invite you to submit your feedback on the following initiatives currently posted on Ontario’s Regulatory Registry.

Please feel free to forward this invitation on to other interested members and stakeholders.

Regulatory proposals available for comment from April 6 to May 21, 2023:

1. Seeking Feedback on Future Regulations To Create A Balanced Framework Around Municipal Rental Replacement By-Laws (Proposal # 23-MMAH005)

2. Seeking Feedback on Proposed Changes to Help Protect Tenants from Bad Faith Renovation Evictions (Proposal # 23-MMAH00)

3. Seeking Feedback on Timeframe for Occupancy for Landlord’s Own Use Evictions (Proposal # 23-MMAH007)
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These and other related consultations can be found through the Environmental Registry of Ontario and the Ontario Regulatory Registry.
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If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the ministry.
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Questions regarding the postings can be sent to Jennifer Chan, Manager, Residential and
Commercial Tenancies Unit, at jennifer.chan@ontario.ca.
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We look forward to hearing your input.
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Sincerely,
Mavis Fung

Tenants Must Have Their “Foreign Rental Housing Experience” Count To Be Accepted Into The Housing They Deserve in Canada

Sunday, April 2nd, 2023

CBC news recently had an incredible story about Komaldeep Makkar who came to Canada from India, via Dubai. She and her family had high academic qualifications and great jobs in Dubai.

While successful in Dubai it had always been her dream to come to Canada and be a top architect as she had ben while in the Middle East and India.

After becoming a Permanent Resident Komaldeep found finding a a suitable job impossible to get. Whether it was not accepting her high degrees or demanding “Canadian work experience” it was clear that she was being ‘blocked’ from the career she earned.

Komaldeep made it clear: Canada “erected systemic blockades to prevent immigrants from succeeding…”

Tenant Newcomers Are Experiencing The Same Discrimination

As the Canadian government website states: People come to Canada for many reasons. No matter where they’re from or why they’re here, a warm Canadian welcome can make a difference. Help make your neighbourhood a better place for everyone to live.

However, like Komaldeep was kept out of getting the career she deserved, many Tenants who are new to Canada are being kept out of the housing they deserve.

Many newcomers were home owners before. Or they were Tenants in their homelands with years of successful rental history and even letters of recommendations from former landlords!

However, many newcomers are experiencing the same erected systemic blockades as Komaldeep did.  Only this time is discrimination for getting approved for renting a Home in Canada by landlords.

It’s Time To Change The Human Rights Code On Housing To Prevent Discrimination Against Foreign Rental History

The Human Rights Code already has rules for landlords to not discriminate against Tenant applicants for many categories. Now it’s time to include landlords must take into account “Foreign Rental History.”

Newcomers can provide with landlords with documentation which must be included in any judgement on renting a Home:

-Leases from previous tenancies

-Deeds from former home ownership

-Bank account statements showing rent was paid

-Letters of recommendation from previous landlords

How Can This Be Enforced?

Tenant applicants can file a Human Rights complaint if the landlord discriminated against them.

However, we have an even better idea:

A Landlord Must Rent To Newcomers If the Following Is Provided:

-Proof of 2 Years of Successful Renting in Their Home Nation (no evictions)

and

-A Letter of Recommendation From Your Foreign Landlord (Rent was paid)

Is This Fair?

While many Tenants think this might be going too far as they want to protect their tenant history and it is unfair for PRYING EYES who they don’t know who is looking at their person info., it also protects the landlord just as they would want to screen a local Canadian Tenants. So landlords should be happy they are getting so many qualified Tenants.

We Asked Landlords From Across Canada How They Felt About This New Policy

A landlord from Ontario replied “I never knew how difficult it was for new immigrants to rent a place. This new policy sounds like a great way to help people find a new home.”

A BC landlord said “This sounds like it even the playing field for all tenant applicants.”

Nova Scotia landlords were united on this new policy being “really what Canada is all about, be fair.”

More Fairness

An Alberta landlord from Edmonton wanted to add to this new law: “It’s also important that landlords pay for the costs of all translations of the documents because we will recover the fees for this from the rent profits the Tenants will pay.”

We Want Win-Win Business Relationships With Tenants

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019

A Landlord Reveals Her Goals To Tenants

Dear Tenant,

I am an a person who invested in an Ontario property. This makes me an Ontario “landlord”. The term “landlord” has a lot of negativity. It brings back memories of British Lords with castles and ripping off working class people. 

That’s not me.  I work two jobs and have a mortgage. My one rental property is nicer than my own house I live in. My car has over 200,000 kms on it and is 12 years old.

So please call me an Ontario “housing provider” or an Ontario “resident who wants to be a great owner of a property people rent from me.”

This open letter to you is to share information so that we can be a team.

After all, you need me, and I need you. 

Let’s be partners in this venture, working together for both sides to succeed!

1. I am not getting rich on this venture.

In fact, for the first 12-18 months of me buying this property, I am going to lose money. Even then, this duplex/triplex that you are living in will net me approx $200-$300 per month after all expenses have been paid. Doing the math, I believe that works out to $2,400-$3,600 per year.

At some point in time, I hope that this property gains value, and I can sell it for more that I bought it. It’s a great concept that you could work towards in your lifetime – if you are so inclined.

Until then, you need a place to live, and I need a tenant.

2. Please take care of our property.

It’s your home, but it’s my house.

If I know that you will keep your home in decent condition, I will be much more motivated to ask you to help me pick out a colour next time I paint the walls, or replace the carpet.

Please don’t be a don’t be a bad tenant who thinks I’m some kind of super rich predator sucking you you dry and spending your rent on Ferrari’s and caviar.

3. I promise to respect you and your personal rights.

I will give you all the notice I can before I have to enter your apartment. After all, this is your home, but it’s my house. If I need to replace a toilet, or fix something, I will give you advanced notice.

I hope the respect will be mutual. After all, it’s the little things that count. If we can all get along, we will both enjoy working with each other. I am not here to mess with your life.

4. I was you once, perhaps you will be me one day.

I know what it’s like to rent. I know what it’s like to be a tenant. It’s actually a decent way to live.

I never worried about the roof, the plumbing, needing a new stove, or fridge, or even if the carpet was getting worn down and needed replacing.

I never worried if the city increased utilities, or taxes – I paid a flat rent, which can only increase by a very small amount each year. I let my landlord worry and take care of all of that.

You need me, and I need you. If neither one of us are jerks, this will work out just fine.

Sincerely,

Ms. Ontario Landlord

Discuss this at the Ontario Landlord forums

Ontario Landlords – Nightmare tenant Nina Willis battling with new landlord over 7th eviction

Monday, June 2nd, 2014

 Ontario Landlords – Make Sure You Rent To Great Tenants (And Avoid Nightmare Tenants) With Good Tenant Screening, Including a Credit Check!

Ontario Landlords – Make Sure You Rent To Great Tenants (And Avoid Nightmare Tenants) With Good Tenant Screening, Including a Credit Check!

The story in the Toronto Star last Friday was shocking for many residential landlords across Ontario.

It was about a person the Toronto Star calls a “Tenant from Hell” who is facing being evicted from her Scarborough rental property.

It’s brought a lot of discussion at the Ontario Landlords forum.

Nina Willis is in the process of appealing a Landlord and Tenant Board decision ordering her to either pay rent on time or move out of the rental property she is staying in

The original Landlord and Tenant Board Order told her she had to move by March 2014.

However, she is “appealing” the Order which means she can delay the eviction (and avoid paying rent) for more months until she gets her say in the next court.

She has done this is each of her previous cases. It’s an easy way for tenants to continue to stay in a rental property and live “rent free” for months.

This isn’t the first time the Toronto Star has reported on this tenant and her tactics to rip off small landlords.

The Star says this is the 7th case of Nina Willis being evicted since 2005.

The Ontario Landlords association has also written about this “Tenant From Hell” in the past to warn landlords.

At least seven different landlords who have been cheated out of rent and dragged through the tribunal system. A system that can be expensive, time-consuming and extremely stressful.

Nina’s current Scarborough landlord won’t even talk to the media as they try to evict Nina from their rental property.

Why Do Landlords Rent To Bad Tenants?

No landlord wants to rent to bad tenants.

The worst tenants (meaning tenants who have a plan to rip off small landlords from Day 1 are often very crafty.

For example, Willis will do an Academy Award worthy performance when she first meets a potential landlord.

Bad tenants will be exceptionally friendly when they first meet you.

They will appear to be really “decent people” who will convince you they will pay rent on time and take care of your rental property like it is their own home.

It’s only when you rent to them that you begin to see their true face.

You won’t believe how they change as they accuse you of neglecting maintenance issues and even harassing them.

How Can I Find Good Tenants and Avoid the Bad Ones?

One of Nina’s former landlords is now an OLA member and is very careful to screen her tenants to avoid “tenants from hell.”

One of the best tenant screening tools is a credit check.

Check out the Ontario Landlord Credit Check site for more information on the importance of doing credit checks on tenants. This site was created to help Ontario landlords learn how to find good tenants and avoid tenants from Hell.

How Can a Tenant Credit Check Help Landlords?

Conducting a tenant credit check will give you the essential information you need to know about a potential renter before you rent to them.

This isn’t only important for Ontario landlords, but also key for Alberta landlords and British Columbia landlords who are also facing challenges.

How Can Tenant Credit Checks Help Me Avoid Tenants From Hell?

That’s an excellent question. After all, small landlords are often on tight budgets and conducting a credit check is an extra expense.

Let’s take a closer look at how a tenant credit check can help Ontario landlords find good tenants and avoid tenants from hell.

#1 Current and Past Addresses

A credit check from the Ontario Landlords Association will show you the current and past addresses of your potential tenant.

You don’t have to ‘trust’ what the tenant tells you. You can see the FACTS on the credit report.

You can then make sure you talk to the REAL current and previous landlords and learn the TRUTH about the tenant who wants to rent your rental property.

#2 Current and Past Employment

It’s very common for bad tenants to lie about their employment history.

They lie because they know landlords want to rent to tenants with stable jobs that provide enough income to cover the rent.

A tenant credit check from the Ontario Landlords Association will show you the REAL employment situation of the potential renter.

#3 Financial Responsibility

Bad tenants will smile and tell you they always pay their bills on time.

A tenant credit check will show you the TRUTH.

Do they pay their bills on time? Do they owe anyone money? Are there judgements against them? Are there any collection agencies after them?

Even British Columbia landlords are now recognizing the importance of credit checks as they face some serial bad tenants ripping off landlords in BC.

We often think of Alberta as the best place to own rental properties in Canada. Yet even Alberta landlords are conducting tenant credit checks to make sure they avoid pro tenants who can end up costing landlords tens of thousands of dollars.

How Can I Run a Credit Check On My Prospective Tenants?

In the past running a credit check was complicated and expensive.

Some of the landlord credit check companies out there add on all sorts of extra fees on you and have a complicated start up process.

As a small landlord, you want everything open and up-front.

You also want low fees and a fast and efficient system.

Join the Ontario Landlords Association

For only a one-time registration fee , Ontario landlords can get access to premium credit checks for only $10/check!

That’s right. No annual fee. Just a one-time registration fee.

You can then access premium credit checks foronly $10/check for credit checks that give you a credit score, addresses, employment and all the information you need to make a smart, informed decision on whether or not you will rent to a tenant.

You will even get a recommendation from the credit report.

Ontario Landlords – Bad Tenants Are Out There But You Can Protect Yourself!\

Become a Member of the Ontario Landlords Association and Get Premium Credit Checks For Only $10/check from your Home or Office Computer.

It Really Is the Landlord Deal of a Life Time!

The Toronto Sun: Ontario Rent Hike Lowest in 35 Years

Thursday, January 6th, 2011

Ontario’s rent hike lowest in 35 years

By ANTONELLA ARTUSO, Queen’s Park Bureau Chief
Last Updated: January 2, 2011 5:20pm

Ontario rents will be allowed to edge up by only 0.7% in 2011.

It is the lowest increase in the 35-year history of the province’s rent guideline — the maximum annual rent increase allowable without seeking special approval from the Landlord and Tenant Board for a heftier hike.

“The McGuinty government is providing real protection for tenants by linking the rent increase guideline to the Ontario Consumer Price Index which prevents routine rent increases above the rate of inflation while ensuring landlords can recover increases in their costs,” said Liberal cabinet minister Jim Bradley.

Stuart Henderson, a moderator with the Ontario Landlords Association, which typically represents property owners with less than five units for rent, said the tiny increase has many of the group’s members wondering if they can afford to stay in the business.

“We’re the ones that are paying all these new costs — the price of gas, hydro, the HST — and then we kind of get kicked in the stomach with a 0.7% increase,” he said. “It leaves kind of the worst landlords in the market, people who are renting out fire traps, illegal places.”

The next provincial election will be held in October, and Henderson said the McGuinty government is clearly currying favour with tenants.

“It’s political opportunism,” he charged. “We feel that the McGuinty government is trying to protect against a backlash from tenants in Toronto.”

Geordie Dent, executive director of the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations, said landlords may be complaining now but they weren’t protesting when the province allowed yearly increases in the range of 5% in the 1990s.

The recession has been very hard on many tenants, and unemployment in Toronto continues to hover at about 10%, he said.

”It’s not renting out a movie at Blockbusters — it’s people’s housing,” Dent said. “Any increase right now during this difficult time is hard for any tenant.”

Also, Ontario does not have “real” rent control because the landlord is only obliged to follow the guideline for an existing tenant, he said.

“If you move into a unit, though, a landlord can charge you whatever he wants,” Dent said. “The last tenant could have been paying $500 a month and they can charge you $2,000.”

http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2011/01/02/16734661.html