We have our name in at a couple of apartments that look as though they would be suitable.It is hard to know if the management is more hospitable , and cordial when you sign up. At least we have a checklist now of things to look out for, and ask.
Since we are members of RENT an organization that helps tenants to deal with all the ins and outs of being a tenant, we have learned a lot. It is important to read the lease carefully, particularly the first couple of pages.
Don't initial any part of it unless you understand it, and if not, consult a lawyer, or someone who can help you understand it first. This isn't always easy. The management must give you your own copy of the lease, and DO ask questions.
When you move in to your apartment have a manager or member of the staff follow through your unit with you. If you find something that you would like to be fixed, or replaced, speak about it then, and put that in writing.
When we moved into our present building we learned (soon after) that one of the 2 superintendents was not well. The other tried to cover for him, but things just didn't get done, and no one could account for the reason. When we learned that he was seriously ill we tried to be lenient and hoped that, eventually the changes would be made (a fault in our stove, for instance). Years later, it still hasn't been changed. The reason is more complicated.
It is necessary to write a request for particular maintenance problems. You should have a copy of that request that you keep yourself with the date on it. If the problem is not dealt with within a week, write another order. If this is not dealt with within a week, take pictures if necessary, or send details with your copy to the building owner or the head of the management company.
There were 2 times that we had to take action, one was with a sewage problem that we finally called Public Health about, and they called the management. Things shouldn't get to that level of complaint.
We began to have get-togethers in our party room with other tenants. These, generally, were a success and that was how we managed to deal with the 'smart meter' problem where they wanted to charge us for the hydro.Many tenants were afraid if they didnt comply they might have to leave. The RENT organization has assured us that they can't do that.WE began to feel that the management were nor pleased that we were getting together for these socials. Also, because we use a common laundry room, it was and is a good place to chat. We also put up notices about the meter situation and eventually invited RENT to come and meet with our tenants about this. One time the 'super' (a recently new one) came to me and told me that putting notices up in the halls was 'tacky' and no longer allowed. (I found this funny, as I could have showed him a lot of other things in the building that were 'tacky'. ) We hae since worked out an e-mail and floor message system of communicating. the Beat Goes On!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Apartment Search
Saturday.
So far I have only touched the details of our life here in our apartment.
This January another huge declaration came from management. They decided to pump air through the halls by fans. All tenants were upset by this as it meant that the halls were as low as 8 degrees centigrade most of the time. In some units the cold air entered the door and breezed across the floor. We were told that it was an order from the fire dept. This is not the first time that the fire dept has been blamed for new rules. We are beginning to feel like we are in a boarding school, or something.
I called the fire dept. and they said that they had never heard of this rule. I then called the health dept and they said the same thing. I then called the person who is overall manager (the actual management company doesn't want to hear from us) and she said that it was in the building code. Well, it is in fact in the building code but it says nothing about cold air.This is clearly a money saving idea and one that has caused a lot of anger. In fact it was this item that caused us to begin a tenant's organization.
What really got us was the fact that the fan-propelled air went through ducts (they have been there since it was built in 1980 or thereabouts) the ducts are in our bedrooms and it sounded a bit like sleeping next to a wind tunnel. Fortunately for us we had planned to go to South Carolina for the month of March and I got caught up on my sleep. It was then that we decided that we really must move before they get those fans going again. More details coming up ! D.
So far I have only touched the details of our life here in our apartment.
This January another huge declaration came from management. They decided to pump air through the halls by fans. All tenants were upset by this as it meant that the halls were as low as 8 degrees centigrade most of the time. In some units the cold air entered the door and breezed across the floor. We were told that it was an order from the fire dept. This is not the first time that the fire dept has been blamed for new rules. We are beginning to feel like we are in a boarding school, or something.
I called the fire dept. and they said that they had never heard of this rule. I then called the health dept and they said the same thing. I then called the person who is overall manager (the actual management company doesn't want to hear from us) and she said that it was in the building code. Well, it is in fact in the building code but it says nothing about cold air.This is clearly a money saving idea and one that has caused a lot of anger. In fact it was this item that caused us to begin a tenant's organization.
What really got us was the fact that the fan-propelled air went through ducts (they have been there since it was built in 1980 or thereabouts) the ducts are in our bedrooms and it sounded a bit like sleeping next to a wind tunnel. Fortunately for us we had planned to go to South Carolina for the month of March and I got caught up on my sleep. It was then that we decided that we really must move before they get those fans going again. More details coming up ! D.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
apartment search
Hello Again
Today this isnt really about our apt. search, which is still going on, but about some of the problems we have run into in our 5 plus years here.
1. The management decided to install SMART METERS a fewyears ago. We found out before they had put them into effect that they were illegal. These meters are owned and run by a private company that connects with each apt. and totals up the amount of hydro you use and charges you for it, and adds about $17.00 per month for reading your meter.
The only way these meters are legal (according to the Ontario Energy Board) is if the utilities in the building pass inspection for having low energy use (more modern stoves, refridgeraters and dishwashers) and the windows are draft-free etc. Our building is almost 40 years old and does not meet those standards and it doesnt look as though they are going to change anything. It took us more than a year of meetings, phonecalls etc. to persuade that landlords that this just could'nt happen. We all fear that they will find a way as, with increasing energy costs, their profit is a lot less. Well, they should have done something about that a long time ago.
2. Upkeep in the bldg. is not up to standards. The staff here is OK and they try, though they are being paid low wages and have a lot to do, but they leave as soon as they can find anything else that pays more and we cant blame them. Sometimes they have to do things they really dont want to do such as-just this winter, management decided that they would require all visitors who park here to fill out a slip with car info-and where they are visiting, or they get a parking ticket. On Easter Sunday several visitors got $25.00 ticket because they couldnt find the slip to fill out and the place to put it. Many tenants were angry about that.
They have also increased the amount that we pay to park inside. The parking garage needs a lot of repair before the ceiling falls in but they dont seem to do anything about that.
Some of the most important things I have not detailed yet. I hope that readers will learn from our experiences and that you will tell me if it is helpful--or the sort of problems you have encountered and how you dealt with them. I meet tenants here every day who have a complaint or 2 and they have reason. I have sent letters to the Management company and so far had very little result-except, of course, that the smart meters still arent being used. TATA for now. D
Today this isnt really about our apt. search, which is still going on, but about some of the problems we have run into in our 5 plus years here.
1. The management decided to install SMART METERS a fewyears ago. We found out before they had put them into effect that they were illegal. These meters are owned and run by a private company that connects with each apt. and totals up the amount of hydro you use and charges you for it, and adds about $17.00 per month for reading your meter.
The only way these meters are legal (according to the Ontario Energy Board) is if the utilities in the building pass inspection for having low energy use (more modern stoves, refridgeraters and dishwashers) and the windows are draft-free etc. Our building is almost 40 years old and does not meet those standards and it doesnt look as though they are going to change anything. It took us more than a year of meetings, phonecalls etc. to persuade that landlords that this just could'nt happen. We all fear that they will find a way as, with increasing energy costs, their profit is a lot less. Well, they should have done something about that a long time ago.
2. Upkeep in the bldg. is not up to standards. The staff here is OK and they try, though they are being paid low wages and have a lot to do, but they leave as soon as they can find anything else that pays more and we cant blame them. Sometimes they have to do things they really dont want to do such as-just this winter, management decided that they would require all visitors who park here to fill out a slip with car info-and where they are visiting, or they get a parking ticket. On Easter Sunday several visitors got $25.00 ticket because they couldnt find the slip to fill out and the place to put it. Many tenants were angry about that.
They have also increased the amount that we pay to park inside. The parking garage needs a lot of repair before the ceiling falls in but they dont seem to do anything about that.
Some of the most important things I have not detailed yet. I hope that readers will learn from our experiences and that you will tell me if it is helpful--or the sort of problems you have encountered and how you dealt with them. I meet tenants here every day who have a complaint or 2 and they have reason. I have sent letters to the Management company and so far had very little result-except, of course, that the smart meters still arent being used. TATA for now. D
Friday, May 6, 2011
Apartment search K-W area
This is my second blog. The first was titled tenantangst, but we have decided that it isn't descriptive enough.
We have been looking at apartments and houses to rent on kijiji. That gives one a pretty good idea of what is out there,what you pay for a good apartment (I still dont know how you can be sure it is a good apt.) and exactly where it is located. You can contact the owner or more likely the manager and ask questions, and there are usually pictures. Those help quite a bit. The problem is that many of the rentals list by saying "Available May 1st or June 1st. We have a lease which states that we must give 2 months notice. It would be a lot better if the ads listed 2 months or more in advance.
There are a lot of student renatls listed. One can sift through them quickly. there are also many 'townhouses' and some sound great. It is the newest form of group housing. Being in our 70s it would be a big mistake to even consider a townhouse, though it would give us a lot more room for about the same rent. I wish they would list the townhouses separately. It would make the search easier.
The houses for rent are sometimes quite appealing. One wonders if these renters want to return in a year or 2 and have their house back. We haven't gone far enough yet to find out how you can be sure. Still, we only want one that is a bungalow, and there have been a couple of really nice ones that have no garage. Maybe we should give up our car. Will continue on the weekend! D.
We have been looking at apartments and houses to rent on kijiji. That gives one a pretty good idea of what is out there,what you pay for a good apartment (I still dont know how you can be sure it is a good apt.) and exactly where it is located. You can contact the owner or more likely the manager and ask questions, and there are usually pictures. Those help quite a bit. The problem is that many of the rentals list by saying "Available May 1st or June 1st. We have a lease which states that we must give 2 months notice. It would be a lot better if the ads listed 2 months or more in advance.
There are a lot of student renatls listed. One can sift through them quickly. there are also many 'townhouses' and some sound great. It is the newest form of group housing. Being in our 70s it would be a big mistake to even consider a townhouse, though it would give us a lot more room for about the same rent. I wish they would list the townhouses separately. It would make the search easier.
The houses for rent are sometimes quite appealing. One wonders if these renters want to return in a year or 2 and have their house back. We haven't gone far enough yet to find out how you can be sure. Still, we only want one that is a bungalow, and there have been a couple of really nice ones that have no garage. Maybe we should give up our car. Will continue on the weekend! D.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
tenantangst
We are seniors who live in Waterloo County.
We have been living in an apartment for 5 years. It is bright, has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and is in a convenient location.
We are now looking for another apt. to move into. There are several reasons for this , and the property management company heads all of them. I will list a few now and add details later.
1. This company does everything on the cheap.There is rent control because the building is nearly 40 years old. So..plumbing, structure repairs are minimal, appliances carpets etc. are not replaced when they should be.
2.Security is not good.
3. Our cleaning staff is good but underpaid-so staff changes often, they are not trained for the job and there is a lot of grumbling about that.
4. the 'super' who oversees the work done in the buildings is rude and arrogant.
We have written to the 'owners' who send our complaints on to the management company who reply tersely that "these matters are being attended to".
We will write more details in the future, and update on progress. We want to help others who consider apartment living to think about how to find out about, and question the management company who is responsible for your building. It isn't easy. In addition, we would like tenants who are satisfied with their apartment to tell us how they have worked with the management to have a good relationship.
Many people in our building, besides ourselves, are upset and are considering a move. Some, who have been here longer than we have, are upset because they feel that a move for them is more than they can cope with. We hope that you continue to follow us in our search. D & J
We have been living in an apartment for 5 years. It is bright, has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and is in a convenient location.
We are now looking for another apt. to move into. There are several reasons for this , and the property management company heads all of them. I will list a few now and add details later.
1. This company does everything on the cheap.There is rent control because the building is nearly 40 years old. So..plumbing, structure repairs are minimal, appliances carpets etc. are not replaced when they should be.
2.Security is not good.
3. Our cleaning staff is good but underpaid-so staff changes often, they are not trained for the job and there is a lot of grumbling about that.
4. the 'super' who oversees the work done in the buildings is rude and arrogant.
We have written to the 'owners' who send our complaints on to the management company who reply tersely that "these matters are being attended to".
We will write more details in the future, and update on progress. We want to help others who consider apartment living to think about how to find out about, and question the management company who is responsible for your building. It isn't easy. In addition, we would like tenants who are satisfied with their apartment to tell us how they have worked with the management to have a good relationship.
Many people in our building, besides ourselves, are upset and are considering a move. Some, who have been here longer than we have, are upset because they feel that a move for them is more than they can cope with. We hope that you continue to follow us in our search. D & J
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