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