Latest news with #renters
CBC
9 hours ago
- Politics
- CBC
Landlords will need help if temperature law becomes reality, advocacy group says
As an Ottawa MPP puts forward a plan to require Ontario landlords to provide renters with air conditioning, one representative for local landlords says building owners will need support for expensive and time-consuming upgrades. In early July, Catherine McKenney, the NDP's housing critic and representative for Ottawa Centre, said they plan to bring a motion to Queen's Park this fall that would cap apartment temperatures at 26 C. "We are prepared to do our part," said John Dickie, chair of the Eastern Ontario Landlord Organization, a local advocacy group. "But we also think that the responsibility for the safety of [low-income people] — and let's face it, it's low-income people who have this problem — that's a responsibility for society at large, for everyone, not just for the people who happen to own the buildings where these people make their homes." According to Statistics Canada, extreme heat events between 2000 and 2020 led to 670 more deaths than usual across Canada's 12 largest cities. Ontario does not track the number of heat-related deaths in the province. Dickie told CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning people are "rightly" concerned about tenants' health, but "the devil is in the details." Retrofitting programs would help In Ontario, landlords are not required by law to provide air conditioning. If a lease allows, a tenant may install their own AC unit. But if a landlord says no, the tenant's only other option is to appeal to the Landlord and Tenant Board. Owners of buildings without air conditioning have several concerns about McKenney's plan, Dickie said, but possibly the largest is the electricity. Electrical systems in buildings — particularly older ones which may have been wired differently — may not be able to keep up with 24/7 cooling, he said. Governments could offer programs to help landlords perform retrofits, Dickie suggested, something that could have positive environmental effects, too, as buildings could then become more energy efficient. While there's a "bit of a smorgasbord" of programs available, more are needed to target buildings with low-income tenants, said Jacqueline Wilson, a lawyer with the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA). "I think everyone appreciates that there's some buildings where it's more complex than others," she said. "[At the federal, provincial and municipal levels] there should be funding available for those landlords to get assistance to meet the requirements quickly and ideally in a way that is environmentally sustainable." 'Landlords are rich people' All three levels of government have overlapping jurisdictions on this issue, Wilson explained, so it's crucial they all take action to make a maximum temperature law a reality. That's something that Hassan Youssouf thinks is possible, despite the difficulty. Youssouf has worked with the City of Ottawa on this issue for the Ottawa branch of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). Landlords have a responsibility to work with those levels of government too, he argued, so that the costs aren't simply passed down to those who can least afford them: the renters. "We know that landlords are rich people," he said, adding that even those who own a small or old building are "well-off." "If they invest in their buildings and their homes, it's good for them in the long run and it's good for the people who live there." But putting the onus on the landlord is "the easy way out," Dickie argued. "Everyone thinks landlords are, by definition, rich because they own a building — except that often really it's the bank that owns the building," he said. If landlords are mandated to install air conditioning but can't afford it, they may have to sell and get out of the business, Dickie said. But finding a buyer could be a challenge, he added — especially if the building is old, or if tenants are paying low rents because of rent control. "[Those buildings] are not very viable economic propositions," he said. "And it's society that has imposed that on the property owner. And now, at least in our view, it should be for society to help solve the problem that society has created."
The Guardian
a day ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Rental deposit scheme ‘puts millions in the pockets of landlords'
The official deposit scheme for renters is 'putting millions in unscrupulous landlords' pockets', campaigners have said. Almost half (46%) of renters said they did not know they could challenge deposit deductions they deemed to be unfair. Only 4% have used the formal dispute resolution process to try to reclaim the money. Dan Wilson Craw of Generation Rent, the campaign group which conducted the research, said the system was 'failing renters who are put off from challenging unfair deductions by unclear rules, and threats and delaying tactics from landlords'. He added: 'Ultimately, that puts millions more in unscrupulous landlords' pockets. The uncertain timescales and unclear rules of the deposit system, as well as obstructiveness and threats from some landlords, mean that accepting unfair deductions to get some cash back quickly can feel like the better option.' The research, based on a nationally representative survey of 2,000 private renters, found that a quarter of tenants who did not challenge unfair deductions said their landlord either threatened to make a larger claim if they raised a dispute, refused to take part in the adjudication process or had not protected the deposit in the first place. Data from one deposit protection scheme, TDS, showed that 77% of tenants got some of their disputed deposit back and 32% got all of it back. Generation Rent analysis found tenants who disputed deductions won 79% of the disputed money back on average. 'Because challenging deposit deductions is usually worth it, renters put off from doing so are losing hundreds of pounds of their own money,' said Wilson Craw. 'The government's review of deposit protection is an opportunity to build trust in the system so tenants have the confidence to challenge unfair landlord claims.' Landlords must legally put a tenant's deposit in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme. There is a free dispute resolution service for tenants who disagree with their landlord on how much deposit should be returned. Ministers have said they were reviewing the system and 'identifying areas for improvement'. Generation Rent said it wanted to see a 14-day deadline for deposits to be returned at the end of a tenancy and landlords to be legally compelled to take part in a dispute resolution if a tenant pursued it, with disputes resolved within 10 days. It also said landlords and agents who broke the rules, or made repeated excessive deductions, should face 'meaningful penalties'. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has been contacted for comment.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Editorial: City Council makes fitful, but important progress on Chicago's housing woes
The cost of keeping a roof over your head keeps climbing for both Chicago buyers and renters. City officials say Chicago is short by at least 120,000 units of what it needs to balance supply and demand. There isn't one silver bullet that will make the situation better, and the City Council on Wednesday was faced with two such proposals. One advanced, and the other was delayed. Aldermen approved an ordinance that makes it simpler to waive mandatory parking rules for developments near public transportation, a move that could lower costs and increase housing availability. Some experts say such reforms can boost homebuilding by 40% to 70%. But aldermen deferred a measure to allow so-called granny flats, also known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), in all 50 wards, postponing a vote. Several years back, the city launched a pilot program in five zones across Chicago to allow for these smaller units, built on the same property as a primary residence. First the good news: Softening parking requirements near transit appears to be a winner. Research from the Sightline Institute, a think tank in the Pacific Northwest, finds that fully flexible parking produces two to three times more new homes than encouraging granny flats or expanding apartment construction near transit. Hopefully, we'll see that kind of result from the council's action Wednesday. We were hopeful to see more movement on granny flats, but we don't believe Wednesday's deferral was the final word. This page has been a consistent supporter of the concept, believing that granny flats, done sensitively, can add to our housing stock without disrupting neighborhoods. To be sure, there hasn't exactly been a stampede of ADU development in parts of the city subject to the pilot program — just over 370 units have been added in four years. Ald. Bennett Lawson, 44th, who has long championed this issue in City Council, said during the hearing that 'we know from the pilot that very rarely do you see two on a block.' That's not a lot. But ADUs are part of a toolkit that needs as many implements as possible to reverse the housing trends that are making it too expensive to live in too many parts of the city. Yet there clearly still is substantial aldermanic resistance. Many aldermen are concerned that this proposal takes away their ability to control how development works in their wards. Ald. Anthony Beale, 9th, called it 'the first step to doing away with zoning in the city of Chicago' during the July 15 zoning meeting. 'You can keep it in your community, not mine,' Beale said. 'To have this done by right without aldermanic approval, I don't know what alderman in their right mind wanna give up that authority. I don't know who would want to do that.' To be sure, Beale isn't just a naysayer — he is clearly a passionate advocate for his constituents. During the meeting, he also told of his fight for tax credits to develop 300 units in a vacant building in his ward. It's obvious that Chicago's housing shortage is being plagued by many issues. We acknowledge the valid concerns of bungalow belt aldermen who are worried about granny flat construction changing the character of their neighborhoods. In some parts of California, residents have complained that ADUs have become 'granny towers' that are taller than the primary structures. Those concerns should be addressed in the ordinance. We think Lawson and others working on the proposal have done a good job of trying to add sensible guardrails, and they should continue to do so. For example, in single‑family districts, building a granny flat would require an administrative adjustment from the zoning administrator, adding oversight without the cost and complexity of a full City Council zoning change. We think it's also worth noting that under the proposed change, these structures couldn't be used for short-term rentals such as Airbnb. Much of the resistance surely stems from Johnson's push at the outset of this debate to legalize development of ADUs by right throughout the city. That overreach — a direct attack on aldermanic prerogative, which City Council members zealously protect — undermined the trust now needed to forge a compromise. But by all appearances, the tone has shifted, and those championing ADUs, including the mayor, are open to negotiating. Housing is a complicated issue, and it's human nature to be protective of your neighborhood. But whether you're Team YIMBY or Team NIMBY, you have to agree that the city must do more to boost our housing stock. In our view, ADU advocates should be open to reasonable conditions, but the city shouldn't give aldermen carte blanche to wholesale bar the construction of granny flats. There's still lots work to be done on housing reform. But aldermen made progress Wednesday. Let's keep it going. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@ Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Forget the paperwork! This app-based insurance offers instant claims and peace of mind - just $5/month
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Did your bike get swiped? Water damage ruin your freshly painted walls? No matter what comes up in your apartment, we know it can be stressful, but we think we just found the best solution on the internet. Lemonade Insurance is the up-and-coming brand that has homeowners, pet owners, and renters alike making the switch with unbeatable pricing and reliable service. With more than two million active users, the top-rated protection destination is quickly becoming the number one destination for renters' peace of mind. Insurance is a notoriously challenging and often dry area to navigate, but Lemonade has essentially turned the industry upside down with its straightforward and completely transparent model. No hidden fees, no hidden agendas — just reliable and fast insurance that millions say is 'reliable' and 'convenient.' Unlike other insurance companies, Lemonade is as easy as pie! From quote to claim, the entire process is seamless with a nearly full digital experience. Forty percent of claims made are responded to on the spot, and no matter what you are dealing with, Lemonade prioritizes financially accessible solutions. Customers truly love every step of the entire Lemonade process, praising it as both 'fun' and 'an amazing user experience.' Ease and simplicity are music to the ears of anyone who's been traditionally scared off by standard insurance plan signups! Everything can be handled directly in the Lemonade Insurance app with a plethora of resources for finding the right coverage for your rental needs. By being a 'tech-first insurer,' Lemonade removes the unnecessary wait times and drama. Users love this aspect, with one saying: 'Lemonade is efficient, fast, and reliable!' Based on recent industry research and Lemonade's advanced data, the unique insurance brand is 30 percent more affordable than the other leading options. Currently, the innovative brand is available to 89 percent of all U.S. residents and covers many facets of life, from pets to rentals. To sweeten the deal, Lemonade also offers savvy bundle options to get the most bang for your buck. If you are ready to start saving not just your money but your home, Lemonade Insurance is your best bet. Get started with the innovative brand today, starting at just $5 a month, to experience the difference that millions of renters have.
New York Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Renters Are Taking Over the Suburbs
Suburbs are traditionally a refuge for people who can't afford to own a home in a big city. But according to a new study, renters are beginning to dominate even the suburbs, leading developers to turn their attention away from urban centers. 'Once homeownership strongholds, suburbs are ceding ground to the new housing reality: The renter-dominated suburb,' the report stated. Using U.S. Census Bureau data from the 20 largest U.S. metros and surrounding suburbs with a population of more than 10,000, researchers at Point2Homes found that the number of renter households in these areas grew to roughly six million by 2023, up by 231,000 from 2018. Among the roughly 1,500 suburbs included, 203 were renter majorities in 2023, which was actually down from a peak of 222 in 2018. Still, renter households more than doubled over this five-year period in 15 major suburbs, which explains the overall increase nationwide. In fact, according to the study, the number of rental homes in the suburbs of five major cities grew faster than in the cities themselves: Dallas, Minneapolis, Boston, Tampa, Fla., and Baltimore. Three suburbs had a nearly 100 percent rental share, but market conditions had little to do with it: Rentals prevailed because they served the short-term housing needs of adjacent military bases: Fort Meade, Md.; Camp Pendleton South, Calif.; and Fort Lewis, Wash. But the following six suburbs, when ranking by renter share, all topped 80 percent: Cudahy, Calif. (Los Angeles), University, Fla. (Tampa), Clarkston, Ga. (Atlanta), Addison, Texas (Dallas), Harrison, N.J. (New York City), and Webster, Texas (Houston). Much of the growth reflects a surge in the build-to-rent industry, which reached an all-time high in 2024, according to Point2Homes, with 39,000 new single-family rentals completed. That was a 16 percent increase over 2023, and much more than the roughly 6,000 or 7,000 that typically came to market during prepandemic years. Where renters rule A study identified major suburbs associated with the 20 largest U.S. metro areas and ranked them by their share of renter households. SHARE OF RENTER HOUSEHOLDS SHARE OF RENTER HOUSEHOLDS SUBURB (LARGER METRO AREA) SUBURB (LARGER METRO AREA) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Fort Meade, Md. Camp Pendleton South, Calif. Fort Lewis, Wash. Cudahy, Calif. University, Fla. Clarkston, Ga. Addison, Texas Harrison, N.J. 99% 99% 98% 88% 86% 84% 82% 81% 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15 16. Webster, Texas Union City, N.J. West Hollywood, Calif. Bell Gardens, Calif. West New York, N.J. College Park, Ga. Langley Park, Md. McNair, Va. 81% 80% 80% 79% 78% 78% 78% 78% (Baltimore) (San Diego) (Seattle) (Los Angeles) (Tampa, Fla.) (Atlanta) (Dallas) (New York) (Houston) (New York) (Los Angeles) (Los Angeles) (New York) (Atlanta) (Washington, D.C.) (Washington, D.C.) SHARE OF RENTER HOUSEHOLDS SUBURB (LARGER METRO AREA) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Fort Meade, Md. Camp Pendleton South, Calif. Fort Lewis, Wash. Cudahy, Calif. University, Fla. Clarkston, Ga. Addison, Texas Harrison, N.J. Webster, Texas Union City, N.J. West Hollywood, Calif. Bell Gardens, Calif. West New York, N.J. College Park, Ga. Langley Park, Md. McNair, Va. 99% 99% 98% 88% 86% 84% 82% 81% 81% 80% 80% 79% 78% 78% 78% 78% (Baltimore) (San Diego) (Seattle) (Los Angeles) (Tampa, Fla.) (Atlanta) (Dallas) (New York) (Houston) (New York) (Los Angeles) (Los Angeles) (New York) (Atlanta) (Washington, D.C.) (Washington, D.C.) Source: Point2Homes By The New York Times
