Latest news with #tenantRights
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Tenants want ‘better living conditions': Councillors plan to revive RentSafe signage plan
Councilors Josh Matlow and Chris Moise plan to revive the RentSafe Program on Wednesday July 9, 2025 (CP24 photo). Some Toronto city councillors are reviving a plan to force landlords to display colour-coded RentSafe signs on their apartment buildings — ranking them based on property standards and building violations. The proposal, modeled after the city's DineSafe program, would see green, yellow, or red placards posted at building entrances depending on inspection results. Councillors Josh Matlow and Chris Moise, who announced the plan Wednesday in St. James Town, say the goal is to hold negligent landlords accountable and empower renters with clear, visible information about the safety and condition of their homes. 'Unfortunately, not all apartment buildings in our city meet the basic standards that we expect and deserve,' Moise said. 'We are going to bring a members motion to the July city council meeting to strengthen the rent safety program.' A similar motion failed under former mayor John Tory in 2020, but the councillors plan to bring it back to city council later this month, citing strong public support and growing urgency from tenants. How do residents feel about the program? Moise, whose ward includes St. James Town, said the majority of residents he represents are renters, and many have been vocal about unsafe conditions, repair delays, and poor communication from landlords. 'Over 75 per cent of residents in my ward are renters, and during the last election, I heard from many tenants that they want better living conditions, more urgency for repairs and maintenance, and greater transparency and accountability.' He adds that a city-wide survey conducted in 2020 showed 81 per cent of residents supported the idea of a colour-coded system for rating rental buildings. An even higher number at 85 per cent — said they wanted signage clearly posted on building entrances. Moise said support in St. James Town was especially high. 'Turn the whole system upside down', Matlow says Matlow, who co-created the RentSafe program in 2017, said the signage proposal is a necessary fix to a system that still allows too many negligent landlords to operate unchecked. 'While I'm proud of the work we did, I think it's really important to also recognize when we can do better,' he said. 'If you're irresponsible, if you're neglectful, if you see your tenants only as a source of revenue, rather than people who have a home in your building, then yes—we're going to put a red sign right in your window.' A program inspired by DineSafe The signs would mirror the city's restaurant rating system: green for full compliance, yellow for properties with outstanding but non-urgent orders, and red for serious health and safety violations. Moise emphasized that the signs are not about 'stigmatization,' but about giving tenants and prospective renters critical information. 'As chair of the board of health, I have witnessed firsthand how the DineSafe program has built trust and had a positive impact,' he said. 'When restaurants receive a yellow poster, their owners and managers are highly motivated to resolve issues and earn that green poster back.' Matlow echoed that sentiment. 'We want to turn the whole system upside down and make it work,' he said.
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Landlord sparks fury for implementing outrageous $50-a-night charge: 'How is this fair in any way?'
A landlord has sparked outrage after trying to charge her tenant $50 per night for having his girlfriend stay over. British property strategist Jack Rooke read out the shocking email exchange between homeowner Rita and her renter Cameron. Rita had emailed Cameron to inform him of a little-known 'house rule' that imposes additional charges for overnight guests. 'It's been brought to my attention that your girlfriend has stayed overnight on multiple occasions this month. As outlined in the House Rules, overnight guests must be pre-approved and are limited to two nights per calendar month,' Rita's email read. 'Beyond that, a £25 ($A52.50) per night charge applies to cover shared space use and utilities. This will be included in your next invoice.' However, Cameron pointed out that there was nothing in his tenancy agreement about guest charges or pre-approvals - as he slammed Rita for 'running a guest policy like a boutique hotel'. 'Who exactly is keeping tabs on my bedroom?' Cameron replied. The landlord insisted the rules were shared in his 'welcome email' and are 'clearly displayed on the hallway noticeboard'. 'Excessive overnight visits put pressure on the household. I've had complaints. If you want to avoid future charges, please limit stays or register guests in the log book provided,' Rita responded. Furious, Cameron fired back: 'Let me get this straight. You're charging me £25 ($A52.50) per night because my girlfriend stays over a couple of times a week? That's £200 ($A420) a month... for someone sitting on a sofa and using the kettle. 'You've made up some "guest log" system that isn't in the tenancy. There's no approval process in the contract. No mention of fees,' Cameron replied. 'I live here because it's what I can afford. Now you're trying to backdoor in hotel charges? No. I won't be paying.' He added that if the charge appears on his invoice, he will submit a formal complaint. While Rita understood his frustration, she warned him not to 'speak to me like that'. 'These rules are there to keep things fair,' she said. 'Other tenants manage their guests without issues, but I've had complaints in your case. This isn't personal. If you need me to resend the house rules, I will. If you can't follow them, I'll have to review whether this tenancy is still working.' However, Cameron refused to back down as he called on the landlord to 'review' his tenancy agreement as he feels this arrangement won't work for him. 'You know what? Review it. Go ahead. If you genuinely think having my girlfriend stay over three nights in a month is causing long-term impact to your kettle and your precious hallway, then this probably isn't the right place for me either,' he said. 'You've decided you're running a guest policy like this is some boutique hotel. You're billing tenants for having a personal life, and then acting shocked when someone pushes back. "House rules were made clear"? No, they weren't. 'You sent a welcome email with your preferences. That's not legally binding. The tenancy agreement says nothing about guest logs, pre-approvals or £25-a-night fines. You're trying to invent policies mid-tenancy and dress them up as boundaries. 'It's not professional. It's not legal. It's you overreacting. So yeah - review the arrangement. And while you're at it, review your understanding of landlord responsibilities.' It's unclear what happened next - but Jack disagreed with the landlord's move. 'She sounds like she's got control problems, we don't like people with control problems,' he said. The video has been viewed 540,000 - with many divided over the situation. 'If this is a shared house and he's renting a room, I'm actually with the landlord. It's not fair to his other room mates to pay extra for his girlfriend. If he's renting the place solo, he's in the right to invite anyone he likes over as often as he pleases,' one said. 'I'm on the landlord's side, other than it should be included in the tenancy agreement. If it's not in the tenancy agreement, then it's not a valid charge. But a charge for additional guests is reasonable,' another suggested. 'Well, first of all, a housemate snitched. Second, that's actually mad. Third, I've had housemates whose girlfriend pretty much were there all the time. Still snitching on them for that is crazy,' one explained. 'Doesn't matter if the landlord found out, they're not allowed to police when you have guests,' another added. RITA: It's been brought to my attention that your girlfriend has stayed overnight on multiple occasions this month. As outlined in the House Rules, overnight guests must be pre-approved and are limited to two nights per calendar month. Beyond that, a £25 ($A52.50) per night charge applies to cover shared space use and utilities. This will be included in your next invoice CAMERON: I've read the tenancy agreement. There's nothing in there about guest charges. No mention of pre-approvals either. Also, who exactly is keeping tabs on my bedroom? RITA: The rules were shared in your welcome email and are clearly displayed on the hallway noticeboard. Excessive overnight visits put pressure on the household. I've had complaints. If you want to avoid future charges, please limit stays or register guests in the log book provided. CAMERON: Let me get this straight. You're charging me £25 ($A52.50) per night because my girlfriend stays over a couple of times a week. That's £200 ($A420) a month, Rita. For someone sitting on a sofa and using the kettle. You've made up some "guest log" system that isn't in the tenancy. There's no approval process in the contract. No mention of fees. I live here because it's what I can afford. Now you're trying to backdoor in hotel charges? No. I won't be paying. And if this appears on my invoice, I'll be submitting a formal complaint. RITA: Cameron, I understand you're frustrated, but please don't speak to me like that. These rules are there to keep things fair. Other tenants manage their guests without issues, but I've had complaints in your case. This isn't personal. If you need me to resend the house rules, I will. If you can't follow them, I'll have to review whether this tenancy is still working. CAMERON: Rita, You know what? Review it. Go ahead. Because if you genuinely think having my girlfriend stay over three nights in a month is causing long-term impact to your kettle and your precious hallway, then this probably isn't the right place for me either. You've decided you're running a guest policy like this is some boutique hotel. You're billing tenants for having a personal life, and then acting shocked when someone pushes back. "House rules were made clear"? No, they weren't. You sent a welcome email with your preferences. That's not legally binding. The tenancy agreement says nothing about guest logs, pre-approvals or £25-a-night fines. You're trying to invent policies mid-tenancy and dress them up as boundaries. It's not professional. It's not legal. It's you overreacting. So yeah - review the arrangement. And while you're at it, review your understanding of landlord responsibilities.
CBS News
27-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Cooper Apartments fire leaves Fort Worth tenants displaced and frustrated
Cooper Apartment tenants displaced by a massive six-alarm fire Monday received clothing and toiletries at a giveaway Friday organized by the Fort Worth Apartment Association. But some fire victims told CBS News Texas that it's more help than they're getting from management. Rent confusion and lack of communication Cooper Apartments CBS News Texas "They don't answer emails. They don't answer texts," said Evelyn Martinez. "They posted the rent, but they said to turn off autopay. I know a lot of people who paid for July's rent, and they can't get their money back." Ashlyn, another tenant, said she hasn't been able to return to her unit. "I have no word on when we'll be able to get in," she said. "I'm supposed to move somewhere else. I have nothing to move with. Sadly, I have no savings. I'm a single woman. I take care of myself." Concerns over damage and mold Jocelyn Sanchez shared a photo of a hole in the ceiling of her second-story apartment and said she's worried about water damage. "All that water is going to be in the vents," she said. "One of the residents said she's already seeing mold formation around the AC where the air comes out." Sanchez escaped the fire with her cat, Coco, but said she's unsure what comes next. "A lot of us don't know if we're going to be able to get out of our lease," she said. "They kind of made it seem like if your unit is livable, they still want us to pay rent." Management responds at event A manager at the giveaway event declined to go on camera but told CBS News Texas that all residents can get out of their leases and should email the management company. He added that they are still determining how to handle July rent. "Maybe even give us a prorated rate for June," Sanchez said. "Obviously, we haven't been staying there, especially for Building One. If they could get their deposits back and all of that. It's just a very sad situation." Fire ruled accidental The Fort Worth Fire Department released its investigative report Friday, ruling the fire accidental. Investigators determined that an electrical failure in the crawl space above the top story ignited the blaze. The report also noted that a maintenance contractor was working on an HVAC issue when the fire broke out.
SBS Australia
23-06-2025
- Business
- SBS Australia
Report finds increasing number of Australian renters fear confronting landlords
Report finds increasing number of Australian renters fear confronting landlords Published 23 June 2025, 8:43 am A shortage of residential properties available for rent may be discouraging some renters from claiming their full rights as tenants. According to a new report - almost seven out of ten private renters surveyed worry about asking for repairs in case the landlord retaliates by increasing their rent.
Khaleej Times
22-06-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Do tenants have to pay for accidental damage during maintenance?
Question: I live in a two-bedroom apartment in Dubai. One of the major AC components was damaged due to something we did; so basically, it was our fault. Are we responsible for fixing it and covering the cost of the damages, or would this fall under regular maintenance? Answer: In Dubai, it is the responsibility of a landlord to carry out the maintenance and repair works of a rented apartment, unless agreed otherwise. This is in accordance with Article 16 of Law No. 26 of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai, which states, "Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, a landlord shall, during the term of the lease contract, be responsible for the real property maintenance works and for repairing any breakdown or defect that affects the tenant's full intended use of the real property. Furthermore, a landlord may be responsible for rectifying any breakdown, damages or defects caused to a rented apartment and if such breakdown, damages, or defects are caused due to reasons which are beyond the control of a tenant. This is under Article 17 of the Dubai Rent Law, which states, 'A landlord may not make to the real property or any of its facilities or appurtenances, any changes that preclude the intended use of the same. The landlord shall be responsible for any such changes whether made by him or by any other person authorised by him. In addition, the landlord shall be responsible for any breakdown, impairment, defect, or damage sustained by the real property for reasons beyond the control of the tenant.' Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. However, it is a tenant's responsibility to maintain the rented apartment in good condition and not to make any changes and/or carry out restoration or maintenance works without obtaining the permission of your landlord. This is in accordance with Article 19 of the Dubai Rent Law, which states, 'A tenant must pay the rent on its due dates and must maintain the real property in a good condition as a reasonable person would maintain his own property. Without prejudice to the tenant's obligation to carry out any restoration that is agreed upon or which is customary for tenants to undertake, the tenant may not make any changes or carry out any restoration or maintenance works in the real property without obtaining the permission of the landlord and the necessary licences from the competent official entities.' When a renting period ends, a tenant must return the property in the same condition it was received — except for normal wear and tear or damage caused by factors outside the tenant's control. If there's a disagreement about the property's condition, it will be resolved by the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (the Tribunal). This is in accordance with Article 21 of the Dubai Rent Law, which states, 'Upon expiry of the term of a Lease Contract, the tenant must surrender possession of the real property to the landlord in the same condition in which the tenant received it at the time of entering into the lease contract, except for ordinary wear and tear or any damage sustained due to reasons beyond the tenant's control. Where a dispute between the parties arises in this regard, it shall be referred to the tribunal to issue its decision on the same.' Based on the aforementioned provisions of the Dubai Rent Law, it may be advised that where damage to a major AC component is caused by your own actions, the responsibility to repair or replace the damaged part may fall upon you, rather than being treated as routine maintenance typically handled by your landlord.
