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General Discussion / Re: NDP calling for Reinstatement of Real Rent Control on Monday
« on: April 29, 2023, 11:33:13 pm »
I also signed, Richard. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
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General Discussion / Re: Bye bye Science Centre, local ecosystem
« on: April 29, 2023, 11:31:40 pm »
Nice photo of the pond behind the Science Centre. And good work with the tongue-in-cheek commentary on the "wisdom" of both moving aforementioned Science Centre and eradicating the Flemingdon Park Golf Course, presumably in the interests of building yet more ugly, unaffordable condos in this increasingly ugly city. Oh, and increasing the wealth of developers, of course.
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General Discussion / hold your nerve on prices, renters
« on: May 27, 2022, 11:00:12 pm »
Hi,
I've been waiting for this day. That is, the day some big banks wake up to the unrealistic housing market we're in. That's saying something, as we should all know that banks have a vested interest (pun intended) in creating money for mortgages (you don't still believe the Bank of Canada creates money, do you?) that they're able to charge interest on.
Anyway, have a look at https://betterdwelling.com/toronto-suburban-real-estate-is-76-overvalued-highest-in-all-of-canada-bmo/ This looks like reality biting, except they miss out another important factor, too: renters just plain can't afford the extortionate rents being charged anymore!
If you want a different perspective (from another bank with an interest in continuing to print money, make interest, and drive inflation), check out https://betterdwelling.com/a-bubble-eh-scotiabanks-very-pessimistic-outlook-is-real-estate-prices-rise-10/ No prizes for spotting the sarcasm in this one.
My point is that we're at the tipping point now and any renter looking/needing to move would be well advised to hold their nerve and not agree to today's rents. I know these articles are talking about house sale prices, but the implications for rents are clear. Drive a hard bargain. There will always be outliers and good value may get snapped up quickly, but I'm seeing lots of units that are well overpriced. I'm seeing very average (or below) places at high prices staying on the market for weeks or upwards of 30 days.
We renters need to play our part by not playing into their hands. Hold your nerve, renters.
I've been waiting for this day. That is, the day some big banks wake up to the unrealistic housing market we're in. That's saying something, as we should all know that banks have a vested interest (pun intended) in creating money for mortgages (you don't still believe the Bank of Canada creates money, do you?) that they're able to charge interest on.
Anyway, have a look at https://betterdwelling.com/toronto-suburban-real-estate-is-76-overvalued-highest-in-all-of-canada-bmo/ This looks like reality biting, except they miss out another important factor, too: renters just plain can't afford the extortionate rents being charged anymore!
If you want a different perspective (from another bank with an interest in continuing to print money, make interest, and drive inflation), check out https://betterdwelling.com/a-bubble-eh-scotiabanks-very-pessimistic-outlook-is-real-estate-prices-rise-10/ No prizes for spotting the sarcasm in this one.
My point is that we're at the tipping point now and any renter looking/needing to move would be well advised to hold their nerve and not agree to today's rents. I know these articles are talking about house sale prices, but the implications for rents are clear. Drive a hard bargain. There will always be outliers and good value may get snapped up quickly, but I'm seeing lots of units that are well overpriced. I'm seeing very average (or below) places at high prices staying on the market for weeks or upwards of 30 days.
We renters need to play our part by not playing into their hands. Hold your nerve, renters.
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General Discussion / Re: Ford votes down Rent Stabilization Act and with it housing affordability
« on: May 01, 2022, 04:27:47 pm »
Hi,
I really appreciate your pointing out this disgraceful (from a renter's perspective) continuance of vested interests and the on-going polarization of Canadian society. Read what Samantha is saying here, renter folks: the Ford government is not your friend.
The Writ for the 43rd Provincial Election drops on Wednesday, people. Ensure you vote. Ensure you vote with renters rights and the current dire situation we face in mind. I'm not going to promote or denigrate any party or candidate, but any thinking person can figure out what's traditionally and historically not been working out for us!
Jeff
I really appreciate your pointing out this disgraceful (from a renter's perspective) continuance of vested interests and the on-going polarization of Canadian society. Read what Samantha is saying here, renter folks: the Ford government is not your friend.
The Writ for the 43rd Provincial Election drops on Wednesday, people. Ensure you vote. Ensure you vote with renters rights and the current dire situation we face in mind. I'm not going to promote or denigrate any party or candidate, but any thinking person can figure out what's traditionally and historically not been working out for us!
Jeff
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General Discussion / Re: RENTERS ARE THE MOST POWERFUL VOTERS IN CANADA
« on: May 01, 2022, 04:16:41 pm »The Writ for the 43rd Provincial Election drops on Wednesday, May 4, people. Ensure you vote. Ensure you vote with renters rights and the current dire situation we face in mind. I'm not going to promote or denigrate any party or candidate, but any thinking person can figure out what's traditionally and historically not been working out for us!
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General Discussion / Re: Tenants should request reference letters from landlords (City News)
« on: May 01, 2022, 04:10:32 pm »
Hear, hear!
What we should be pushing for is a "renter's package" that would include suchh landlord references and also SLAs (service level agreements) about maintenance. Fine, the legislation and regulations state certain things must happen, but any landlord can claim, "Oh, I'm looking into it." Without SLAs and associated penalties for failing to meet responsiveness, timeliness, and results goals, there is no teeth in what we have as renters.
By all means, ask your next potential landlord for references, if you wish not to be considered as a tenant! ;-) What we really need, though, is some backing with teeth!
Thanks for the post.
Jeff
What we should be pushing for is a "renter's package" that would include suchh landlord references and also SLAs (service level agreements) about maintenance. Fine, the legislation and regulations state certain things must happen, but any landlord can claim, "Oh, I'm looking into it." Without SLAs and associated penalties for failing to meet responsiveness, timeliness, and results goals, there is no teeth in what we have as renters.
By all means, ask your next potential landlord for references, if you wish not to be considered as a tenant! ;-) What we really need, though, is some backing with teeth!
Thanks for the post.
Jeff
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Making Renting Respectable / Re: Toronto Taxes Apartment Buildings more than Private Residences
« on: May 01, 2022, 03:37:06 pm »
Hi,
Thanks for your thoughtful post.
I don't know for a fact, but I suspect the rationale for higher municipal taxes for multi-residential buildings is that there are greater costs associated with waste, water, and other services. (Those may be covered by separate charges, though, thus possibly making my suspicion void.)
More to the point of my reply is that I wholeheartedly agree renters are not organized and are therefore not sufficiently heard / represented. And I agree that in Toronto there is a large proportion of the population that does rent and we should, as individuals and as a collective, ensure our concerns are addressed.
The Writ for the 43rd Provincial Election drops on Wednesday, people. Ensure you vote. Ensure you vote with renters rights and the current dire situation we face in mind. I'm not going to promote or denigrate any party or candidate, but any thinking person can figure out what's traditionally and historically not been working out for us!
Jeff
Thanks for your thoughtful post.
I don't know for a fact, but I suspect the rationale for higher municipal taxes for multi-residential buildings is that there are greater costs associated with waste, water, and other services. (Those may be covered by separate charges, though, thus possibly making my suspicion void.)
More to the point of my reply is that I wholeheartedly agree renters are not organized and are therefore not sufficiently heard / represented. And I agree that in Toronto there is a large proportion of the population that does rent and we should, as individuals and as a collective, ensure our concerns are addressed.
The Writ for the 43rd Provincial Election drops on Wednesday, people. Ensure you vote. Ensure you vote with renters rights and the current dire situation we face in mind. I'm not going to promote or denigrate any party or candidate, but any thinking person can figure out what's traditionally and historically not been working out for us!
Jeff
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