2023 07 17 Newsletter Vol 6 No. 1

TORONTONIAN TENANTS’ ASSOCIATION

  Vol. 6, No. 1                                                                      Monday, July 17, 2023

Hello, neighbours! Since 2015, the TTA has helped its members and Shiplake with a variety of issues.

If you are already a member, thank you for your support to date! Finally, post-pandemic, it’s time to renew your membership.

The TTA

  • Represents its 45 Dunfield Avenue members.
  • Helps improve living conditions.
  • Assists with concerns related to both individual units and common areas.
  • Works against unfair AGIs (Above Guideline rent Increases).
  • Keeps you informed about news in our building and community.
Since 2015 the TTA has fought and won reductions in AGIs (rent increases),* saving tenants money and maintaining rents!   *AGI = Above Guideline (rent) Increase

What the TTA does

A group of neighbours is elected to volunteer to

  • Meet with Shiplake to discuss members’ concerns.
  • Organize TTA responses to issues.
  • Send out Newsletters and other communications.
  • Research relevant laws and regulations.
  • Connect with other associations and our City Councillor.
  • Hold General Meetings for members as needed.
  • Hold Annual General Meeting to elect a new executive group.
  • Hold executive meetings on actions and strategies.
  • Maintain a bank account for the TTA.

TTA roles

  • President/Chair
  • Treasurer
  • Membership
  • Community Liaison
  • Secretary
  • Communications; Website, Social Media & Email
  • Research


Volunteers contribute –

As little or as much time as you like – regularly or occasionally.

Cost of Membership

Just $10 a year – by cash, cheque, or e-transfer to the TTA email account. (Let the TTA know if the fee is a problem for you.)

̶̶   Your interim Executive Committee

Questions? Suggestions? Let us know!

Updates on the 2 current Above Guideline rent Increases (AGIs)

  1. Balcony AGI

Shiplake submitted this AGI to the Landlord and Tenant Board on December 19, 2019, requesting an increase of 2.27% for the balcony/caulking & waterproofing work.  Any approved increase will take effect retroactive to April 1, 2020.** 

Shiplake sent a Notice of a Written Hearing to affected Tenants on October 4, 2022, on behalf of the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB).  The TTA submitted a written response on behalf of affected Members to the LTB by the due date of November 4, 2022, and the one from Shiplake was sent on November 18, 2022.  A correction to Shiplake’s submission was sent on July 21, 2023.    

To date no information on the LTB’s decision has been announced.   

** Shiplake will defer implementing the increase for the first 2 months according to previous negotiations with the Torontonian Tenants’ Association (TTA). 

  • Roof AGI

Shiplake submitted this AGI, asking for 1.37%, on July 16, 2021. This rent increase is based on the replacement of the roof membrane and of the A/C in the Elevator Room. Any approved increase will take effect retroactive to November 1, 2021.

A Notice of a Written Hearing was sent to affected Tenants on August 23, 2023.  The TTA’s paralegal is preparing a response to the LTB, which is due by September 28, 2023. By October 13, 2023, Shiplake will have to provide a written response to any Tenant who filed a response – including the TTA, representing its current Members.      

General Information about the 2 AGIs

All affected tenants had 2 options.  They could either –

  • pay the full amount of Shiplake’s requested increase right away and look for some amount of refund if the LTB did not approve the full amount of the AGI, or
  • pay nothing and wait until the LTB makes its final decision, and then pay any monies owing retroactively to the effective date of the AGI increase.

Access to the LTB’s files

The LTB has changed its method of accessing the documents related to all submissions to the Tribunal, including AGIs. The Notice of Written Hearing gives instructions on page 2 of the Roof AGI package on how to gain access to these files. 

Anyone who needs help in accessing the complete files on the LTB Portal please email the TTA website – torontoniancommunications@gmail.com for further instructions.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

The Torontonian Tenants’ Association (TTA) Executive Committee will be holding its AGM on 2 separate days in June. Please read the attached notice for more details.

Also see the document outlining the Roles and Responsibilities of the Executive Committee Members and the positions which are to be filled by election during this years AGM.