Restaurants are licensed. Spas are licensed. Even a street busker needs a licence to operate.
Yet landlords -- who are responsible for vital services such as heat, electricity and water as well as ensuring fire protection and complying with property standards rules -- are not required to have a licence to operate in Toronto.
As an article from the Toronto Star notes, the current rules aren't working well for tenants of 500 Dawes Rd., a nearby apartment building.
If you think tenants need better protection, you'll have a chance to have your voice heard at four public community meetings being held this month to get tenant input into improving living conditions in rental apartment buildings. (The closest community meeting is Sat. Aug. 20, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Broadlands Community Centre at 19 Castlegrove Blvd. near Lawrence Ave. E. and Victoria Park Ave.).
Proposed landlord requirements include:
- A plan to notify tenants of service disruptions and outstanding City orders
- A centrally located posting board for all notifications
- A maintenance plan which includes both interior and exterior maintenance. It would also include a pest management plan, snow removal/de-icing plans, and maintenance of mechanical systems (i.e. heating, elevators)
- A cleaning plan
- A state of good repair capital plan
- Annual inspections of common areas
Learn more about the need for stronger protection for tenants through the short video at the link below:
Get more information about the proposal for landlord licensing through the link below:
Check out the list of the worst 100 apartment buildings for City of Toronto investigations at the link below (the top two are in East York):
