VOL. 10 NO. 1

AUGUST 2011

GREATER TORONTO APARTMENT ASSOCIATION

Their convenience Your return on investment

Coinamatic offers a wide range of products and services for all of your laundry needs. •

We are Canada’s leading provider of smart card-operated and coin-vended laundry equipment

•

We have access to a wide variety of products to help maximize revenues and reduce operating costs

•

We are the only ISO registered route operator in North America

•

Our multilingual Customer Care Centre is available for building management and resident support 24/7

Coinamatic continues to transform the laundry business with services that both our Clients and their residents value.

For a FREE no-obligation survey of your laundry services call, 1.877.755.5302 [email protected]

www.coinamatic.com

Certifiably transforming

TRANSPORTATION

After three years of extensive research and development, The Certified Group, in partnership with Bombardier, has effectively transformed the face of transportation by treating all high-touch areas in the TTC’s new and improved “Toronto Rocket”. Effective July 2011, we are proud to be launching the Aegis High-Touch Treatment Program in apartment buildings. We congratulate Vertica Resident Services for being one of the first to be a part of this revolutionary new program that will transform the multi-residential industry. Please take a moment to view the attached link and look under Germ Factor to share in this groundbreaking occasion. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/toronto-transit-unveilsnew-rocket-subway-cars/article2036599/ Les Woods, CEO, The Certified Group

T: 905.602.1555 www.thecertifiedgroup.ca

Asset and Property Management Software for Multifamily Real Estate

Yardi Voyager is a fully integrated, browser-based solution for optimal real estate management. Integrated GL and financials Leasing workflow Portfolio analytics Revenue management Resident portal

For more information 888.569.2734

Taking Residential Real Estate Solutions to the Next Level Yardi Voyager Residential™ is Canada’s leading software solution for managing multifamily real estate. Fully integrated and browser based, Voyager Residential consolidates accounting and operational information in a centralized database and provides real-time access to system data, from anywhere, at any time. Maximize your efficiency and profitability with the industry’s premier residential property management system—Yardi Voyager Residential.

Canada | United States | Europe | Asia | Australia

www.yardi.com/gtaa33

Are you contemplating the sale of your apartment property? Consider the following: t t t

8IP XJMM SFQSFTFOU ZPVS CFTU JOUFSFTUT 8IP XJMM HJWF ZPVS QSPQFSUZ NBYJNVN FYQPTVSF 8IP XJMM EFMJWFS UIF IJHIFTU WBMVF GPS ZPVS QSPQFSUZ

1MFBTF WJTJU PVS XFCTJUF

8JUI PWFS  ZFBST FYQFSJFODF UFOT PG UIPVTBOET PG VOJUT TPME BOE IVOESFET PG DMJFOUT SFQSFTFOUFE XF IBWF DPOTJTUFOUMZ EFMJWFSFE TVQFSJPS SFTVMUT 5ISPVHI PVS MPDBM BOE OBUJPOBM DPWFSBHF XF DSFBUF NBYJNVN FYQPTVSF FOTVSJOH NBYJNVN WBMVF GPS ZPVS QSPQFSUZ 1MFBTF WJTJU PVS XFCTJUF BU XXXDCSFDBOBHUPSPOUP PS DPOUBDU VT BU  UP MFBSO NPSF BCPVU IPX XF DBO IFMQ ZPV

XXXDCSFDBOBHUPSPOUP PS DPOUBDU VT EJSFDUMZ BU 

National Apartment Group : : %BWJE .POUSFTTPS &YFDVUJWF 7JDF 1SFTJEFOU  EBWJENPOUSFTTPS!DCSFDPN  4BMFT 3FQSFTFOUBUJWF $# 3JDIBSE &MMJT -JNJUFE 3FBM &TUBUF #SPLFSBHF

40-%  4VJUFT  5PSPOUP   QFS TVJUF VANCOUVER

CALGARY

40-%  4VJUFT  0UUBXB   QFS TVJUF

EDMONTON

WINNIPEG

LONDON

40-%  4VJUFT  5PSPOUP   QFS TVJUF KITCHENER

TORONTO

OTTAWA

MONTREAL

SAINT JOHN

HALIFAX

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 5

Proud Millennium Members of the GTAA

The Right Product. The Right Price. The Right People. The Right Choice. Over 14,000 Products – In Stock, Everyday!

Eco-Friendly | Cleaning | Fire Safety | WHMIS | Paint | Building | Bathroom & Kitchen | Appliance | Wall & Floor Plumbing | Light Fixtures | Light Bulbs | Electrical | HVAC | Hardware | Seasonal | and More

PPLIANCEBATHROOMBUILDINGCLEANINGECO-FRIEND LECTRICALFIRESAFETYFLOORHARDWAREHVACKITCH Choosing H&S as your maintenance material NKSLIGHTBULBSLIGHTFIXTURESPAINTPLUMBINGSEA supplier means you are putting your confidence UPERSPECIALSWALLWHMISANDMOREAPPLIANCEBAT in a supplier willing to go the extra mile to UILDINGCLEANINGECO-FRIENDLYELECTRICALFIRESAF provide you with the best one-on-one service. LOORHARDWAREHVACKITCHENSINKSLIGHTBULBSLIGH A knowledgeable sales staff and over 35 years of industry experience – no one else offers that AINTPLUMBINGSEASONALSUPERSPECIALSWALLWHM combination and it’s why people all across NDMOREAPPLIANCEBATHROOMBUILDINGCLEANINGE Ontario choose H&S Building Supplies Ltd. as The one source for it all. LECTRICALFIRESAFETYFLOORHARDWAREHVACKITCH their One Stop Maintenance Supply Superstore! NKSLIGHTBULBSLIGHTFIXTURESPAINTPLUMBINGSEA UPERSPECIALSWALLWHMISANDMOREAPPLIANCEBAT UILDINGCLEANINGECO-FRIENDLYELECTRICALFIRESAF LOORHARDWAREHVACKITCHENSINKSLIGHTBULBSLIGH AINTPLUMBINGSEASONALSUPERSPECIALSWALLWHM NDMOREAPPLIANCEBATHROOMBUILDINGCLEANINGE LECTRICALFIRESAFETYFLOORHARDWAREHVACKITCH www.hsbuild.com 1 800-207-8325 or 905 738-6003 NKSLIGHTBULBSLIGHTFIXTURESPAINTPLUMBINGSEA UPERSPECIALSWALLWHMISANDMOREAPPLIANCEBAT COMMERCIAL | MULTI-UNIT | RESIDENTIAL | INDUSTRIAL | INSTITUTIONAL UILDINGCLEANINGECO FRIENDLYELECTRICALFIRESAF

FEDERAL 11 CFAA Rental Housing Conference 12 Outdoor Lighting: Timing is Everything 13 CFAA Applauds Eco-Energy Retrofit Incentive 14 CFAA Energy Retrofits for Low-Rise Rentals 15 CFAA Supports New Framework for Affordable Housing

CORPORATE PROFILE Founded in 1998, the Greater Toronto Apartment Association (GTAA) represents the interests of Toronto’s most active and concerned firms working in the multifamily rental housing industry today. In a climate of rapidly changing issues such as realty taxes, municipal fees, property and fire standards, inspections and bylaws, the GTAA was established as a municipal association to advocate for the rental housing industry and to provide a source of vital information, representation and leadership in the rental housing industry.

PROVINCIAL 17 2012 Rent Increase Guideline: 3.1% 18 Provincial Election 19 200 Wellesley East Fire Investigation Completed

MUNICIPAL 20 Core Service Review Program 24 Standing Committee Highlights 26 It’s Broke, So Fix It 27 KPMG Suggests Reduce Recycling Targets 27 Prolonged Power Outage Due to Extreme Weather 28 Nuisance Fire Alarms

The GTAA now boasts more than 240 property management companies that own and operate more than 160,000 apartment units. As well, there are over 150 supplier members in all trade categories.

30 At Home/Chez Soi Research Demo Project

GTAA’s regular meetings with municipalities throughout the GTA, including politicians and officials, provides a voice the industry needs for early warning about new policies, regulations and research reports. The GTAA also engages in effective action campaigns in the media and local communities.

34 Durham Region Bedbug Working Group

32 Private Sector Housing Roundtable 32 Generosity Celebrated 33 Hydro Vaults 35 Hoarding 36 Rent Supplement in Peel Region 38 A Website Can Produce a Significant ROI

GTAA 8

MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS BENEFITS GTAA is an active participant in the formation of municipal policy and helping to shape legislation and regulations that affect the industry. GTAA is “front and centre” on the entire spectrum of housing-related issues. GTAA will inform member firms how actions by the respective municipal governments and other agencies concerning the building code, affect the multifamily industry’s costs and operations. GTAA will alert members to important proposals to change the model codes, inform members of code improvements favored by the industry, and interpret the practical impact of major code decisions.

10 40 41 42 44

President’s Report Message from the Chair Emerging Trends Finding the Right Energy Solution Annual GTAA Golf Tournament Millennium Member + Supplier Member Directory

ON THE COVER – 7 St. Dennis Drive. Photo credit: Christopher Dew

BUILDING BLOCKS VOL. 10 NO. 1 AUGUST 2011 PUBLISHER RICHARD SOREN Design Print Media T. 416.465.6600 [email protected]

EDITOR DARYL CHONG President & CEO, GTAA T. 416.385.3435 X36 [email protected]

• Building Blocks is published six times per annum (February, April, June, August, October and December) by Design Print Media on behalf of the Greater Toronto Apartment Association (GTAA) and is distributed through controlled circulation to the GTAA membership. • Please contact the Publisher for advertising dates and rates. • Opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the GTAA Board or management. • GTAA accepts no liability for information contained herein. A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 7

w w w . g t a a o n l i n e . c o m

CONTENTS

w w w . g t a a o n l i n e . c o m

MILLENNIUM MEMBERS

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

SUMMER OF CHANGE DARYL CHONG

ummer was supposed to be a chance to relax, enjoy the weather, and play a round of golf or two. We don’t get much of it, so grab it while it’s here.

S

But, a tempest whipped through City Hall. Mayor Ford unleashed a flurry of reports penned by KPMG onto the unsuspecting masses. All through July each standing committee was reminded of a litany of “nice to have” services that should be reconsidered in light of Toronto’s 2012 budget gap of $774 million. This series ended just in time for the August long weekend, but only after a marathon session with hundreds of deputations. Now while many enjoy what is left of summer, City staff are analyzing the consultant’s options and writing reports with all the details filled in. The Executive Committee meets on September 21st to decide which recommendations to send to Council. Expect a new record to be set; eclipsing the 22½ hour session in late July. The following week, City Council will decide Toronto’s new direction. Stay tuned for more as it develops. While this is capturing many of the headlines, candidates for Queens Park will be busy on the hustings. Many pundits suggest that Ontario’s election will be determined by what happens at City Hall. For those inclined to follow such matters, this is truly an exciting time. For the GTAA, change always brings opportunities. A new Mayor setting a new fiscal course. Many new MPPs – several sitting members are not seeking re-election – with a new agenda. Perhaps, a new ruling party. Each change gives us a new chance to promote our industry’s key issues. We embrace these as positive prospects. I want to pick up where my predecessor left off and continue to build our organization. Significant growth occurred in the past twelve years. The GTAA is already fully established, well known and a credible stake holder with all levels of government, public sector organizations, related industries, the media, and the public. Our Charitable Foundation is solid and provides tremendous financial support to many deserving organizations and the people they serve. Building Blocks is a professional publication that is useful and informative. Our educational sessions are second to none. All our annual social events are sold out! The GTAA has done a fantastic job and I wish to keep the momentum going. 8 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 9

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

PERRY FRYERS

NADLAN

Management Inc. SINCE 1975

ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Apartment Buildings Mixed - Use Commercial and Residential Town Home Condominiums New Condominiums Development Consultants (BUDGETS) High-rise / Low-rise Condominiums

MEMBER OF

500 CHAMPAGNE DRIVE TORONTO, ONTARIO M3J 2T9 TEL. 416-915-9115 x25 | FAX 416-915-9114

www.nadlanmanagement.com 1 0 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

would like to formally welcome Daryl Chong to the Greater Toronto Apartment Association as our new President and CEO. I am looking forward to working with Daryl who I am confident will continue to represent our association and its members most professionally and effectively. Daryl brings a working knowledge of our industry issues as he has acted as a consultant for our association over the past five years. He also has over 15 years of experience working for members of council at Toronto City Hall and lobbying for various industries. This experience will enable Daryl to quickly assume a leadership role and take on the day to day challenges facing the association and strengthen the membership.

I

With the Provincial election this fall, members should contact their local candidates now and provide information to them on how to support policies that promote a healthy rental sector. One key message is that good tenants do not need protection and bad tenants should not be over protected. In essence good tenants are adversely affected by the relatively few bad tenants with an eviction process which is far too lengthy. Whereby the loss of revenue to owners by tenants who are in arrears and skip out or cause damage to units are escalated due to the present legal process which at a minimum takes over 2 months to get an eviction for a non paying tenant which ultimately leads to these extra costs being passed on to good tenants. Thus if the government brings back default orders the Landlord and Tenant Board will save time and money whereby tenants will still get an opportunity to be heard. Other issues include increasing Ontario’s rent control guideline, renovation and energy conservation tax credits to help mitigate HST and other costs and a Housing Benefit Program to help lower income tenants pay the rent. The 12th annual GTAA golf day at the Country Club was another sell out this year and I would like to again thank everyone for their continued support for our major fundraising event. Especially, I want to thank Samantha and all the volunteers for their efforts in making the day so enjoyable. This year we raised over $50,000 for our Housing and Community Support Fund.

FEDERAL

CFAA RENTAL HOUSING CONFERENCE “RELEVANT, ON TOPIC AND INFORMATIVE” KRISTA JOHNSTON, CFAA STAFF WRITER FAA’s 2011 Canadian Rental Housing Conference was an opportunity to compare notes, network with key members of the rental housing community and explore some of Toronto’s most innovative apartment buildings. It was also an opportunity to absorb some of the most valuable advice and information the industry’s leading experts had to offer.

C

From June 15 to 17 rental housing providers from across Canada gathered at the Westin Prince Toronto to hear from more than 50 knowledgeable speakers on topics ranging from employment law, to cost containment and effective marketing through social media.

Another conference topic dealt with Building Accessibility and Human Rights and how recent government policies, including the new accessibility standards, will impact landlords. Delegates heard from lawyer Kristin Ley about ways rental housing providers can use the recent policy document on Human Rights in Housing to defend themselves against human rights claims.

CFAA EXECUTIVE MEMBERS MET WITH DON VALLEY EAST MP JOE DANIEL DURING THE FINAL DAY OF THE CONFERENCE. Pictured from left are Past CFAA Chair Avrom Charach, Current CFAA Chair BJ Santavy, CFAA President John Dickie and Joe Daniel.

Of particular interest to delegates was the Deferred Maintenance session on June 16, which discussed the ramifications of delaying building upgrades. This panel included Bill Zigomanis, the Vice President of Investments of Boardwalk REIT, Ivan Murgic, Vice President of Operations for the Green Group of Companies and Paul Belanger, President of Belanger Engineering. “With our aging buildings the deferred maintenance session was very helpful,” explained one conference delegate. “I particularly liked the ideas from the property management companies because they gave in-depth descriptions of the processes. This was very informative.” Many delegates decided to participate in the Day 1 session on bed bugs and new ways to kill them. With more than 60 combined years of experience in the pest control industry, panellists Steve Peltier, founder of Steve’s Pest Management, and Dan McCabe, Vice President of Magical Pest Control, were able to offer a variety of information on this infamous topic.

key. “The speakers were very knowledgeable and up to date on effective products,” said one conference delegate. “The discussions were very proactive.”

Other topics at the Facilities Management day included mechanical and electrical retrofits, building envelope retrofits, cost containment and operating efficiencies through new green technologies, workforce obligations and waste diversion. “I really enjoyed the conference,” said first-time delegate John Vos, who is a property and commercial service manager with the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. “The seminars were all relevant and very informative. I think it was productive time well spent.” During the Investment and Tenant Relations day, the topics included Cross Canada reports; an economic update by Benjamin Tal; a panel discussion on the risks to industry profitability; innovations in today’s markets and management; tenant satisfaction and retention; the benefits, risks and costs involved in social media; the Internet and other advertising options, website design and search-engine optimization.

BED BUGS – HOW THEY LIVE AND NEW WAYS TO KILL THEM WAS A POPULAR SESSION FOR RENTAL HOUSING PROVIDERS ON JUNE 16. From left to right, panellists include: Dan McCabe, Vice President of Magical Pest Control, Steve Peltier, founder of Steve’s Pest Management, CFAA President John Dickie and Al Bolduc, Regional Manager of Minto Developments.

Providing an alternative angle to the discussion was Al Bolduc, Regional Manager of Minto Developments Inc., who described the targeted approach his company is taking to address this issue and how prevention and early detection methods are

“This session was great. There was useful information from all three speakers,” said one of the session’s delegates. “Kristin Ley provided great material and was a great speaker.”

Each day of the Conference included some 15 exhibitors who provide products or services of great use to rental housing providers. The Conference meal and refreshment breaks allowed rental housing providers to mingle with one continued on page 12

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 1 1

w w w . g t a a o n l i n e . c o m

FEDERAL continued from page 11

an introductory networking experience for the entire event.

another, and with the exhibitors who provided information about their valuable products and services.

“A great number of people on the bus tour thought it was extremely informative and enjoyable,” said CFAA President John Dickie. “The building bus tour allowed people to meet and chat in an informal setting, and so when it came time to sit down at the conference sessions, people had already met other landlords from across the country.”

Adding a new element to the conference this year, CFAA began the 2011 event with a Building Innovations Bus Tour to showcase the latest building developments in Toronto. The tour included stops at Hyde Park in Leaside, an awardwinning garden home complex; the Roehampton by Minto, the first GOLD LEED residential rental building in Canada; “vivere” by Vertica, a new 10-storey building at Yonge and Eglington; and the Gates of Bayview by Sterling-Karamar, an older luxury rental community. For many conference attendees, the building innovation bus tour was a highlight of the conference, not only for the wealth of information it provided, but also because it acted as

CONFERENCE HEADS WEST IN 2012 CFAA will hold its 2012 Canadian Rental Housing Conference in Vancouver. The event, being held from June 13 to 15, 2012, promises to offer excellent networking opportunities and provide key information to residential rental providers of all sizes. For more details, please visit www.cfaa-fcapi.org. To be placed on CFAA’s e-mail list for conference updates, or for 2012 partnership and exhibit opportunities, please e-mail [email protected].

GTAA IS ONE OF 17 MEMBERS OF THE CANADIAN FEDERATION OF APARTMENT ASSOCIATIONS, THE SOLE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING THE INTERESTS OF CANADA’S $40 BILLION PRIVATE RENTAL HOUSING INDUSTRY, WHICH PROVIDES HOMES FOR MORE THAN SEVEN MILLION CANADIANS.

OUTDOOR LIGHTING: TIMING IS EVERYTHING I

nstalling a time clock or photocell control to regulate your building’s outdoor lighting system is a simple way to secure immediate energy savings. The annual cost of a single 150W lamp running unnecessarily for three hours a day is $13 based on electricity costs of 8 cents per kilowatt-hour.

A qualified tradesperson can install your time clock or photocell controls. The best type of time clock is one with an astronomical dial and quartz drive carryover. These units can compensate automatically for seasonal changes and are able to keep time through up to seven days of power outage.

Although energy savings vary with the cost of electricity, the type of electrical utility rate structure and pre- and postinstallation operating hours and lighting load, using time clocks means longer service from lamps and ballasts and lower lighting maintenance costs.

Time clocks are a better choice for controlling an entire bank of lights. These controls can be remotely mounted near the electrical panel. Photocell controls cost less than time clocks and can be mounted inside lighting fixtures, in post collars or on walls or brackets. Be sure to choose a location that is not affected by stray light sources such as those from adjacent buildings or parking lots.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CONTROL MECHANISM

Lighting timers and photocell controls each have their pros and cons. Photocells need regular checkups and cleaning to avoid dirt buildup and physical damage, but they have a shorter payback period than time clocks — two years compared with four. High-intensity discharge lamps, such as those that use mercury vapour, metal halide or sodium vapour, take a long time to warm up and therefore require sensitive photocells to give them a head start.

DOS AND DON’TS

If you opt for a time clock control, don’t change the clock setting to correspond with daylight savings time since the relevant reference points relate to sunrise and sunset, not artificial time. Whichever measure you choose, remember that outdoor lights have a job to do. Be sure they’re on when needed to minimize accidents, vandalism, theft and break-ins.

TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CMHC’S MORTGAGE LOAN INSURANCE, CONTACT PAULA GASPARRO, MANAGER, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, MULTI-UNIT MORTGAGE INSURANCE AT 416-250-2731 OR VIA E-MAIL AT [email protected].

FOR MORE INFORMATION, LOG ON TO WWW. CMHC.CA/MULT-UNIT.

1 2 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

FEDERAL

News Release

CFAA APPLAUDS THE INCLUSION OF RENTAL HOUSING IN THE ECO-ENERGY RETROFIT INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR HOMES ttawa, July 14 – The Canadian Federation of Apartment Associations (CFAA) applauds the Federal Government for extending the eco-Energy Retrofit Incentive Program for HOMES in a way which supports energy efficiency in rental housing.

O

Announced yesterday, the extension makes available $400 million for energy retrofits in low-rise rental housing and owner-occupied housing. The newly extended federal eco-Energy Retrofit Incentive Program for HOMES applies to residential rental buildings with fewer than four storeys and a footprint of less than 600 square metres (6458 square feet), as well as to mobile homes on a permanent foundation. Because of its name, many landlords have not realized that the program is available to them. Thanks to CFAA’s suggestions in 2008 and 2009, and the positive response of the government, the maximum incentive is $5,000 per unit (rather than per building), and larger

buildings are eligible for rebates that reflect the greater number of homes (rental units) which make up a larger building, rather than the more limited amount which reflects a single family home. As well, the presence of some commercial space no longer disqualifies a building which is mostly residential. CFAA also applauds the work of the government and the officials in Natural Resources Canada and the office of Energy Efficiency in making energy evaluations more easily available for multiple unit buildings than they were when the program was launched. CFAA President John Dickie says, “Rental owners need to act quickly to register their buildings, arrange the energy evaluation and perform the work in order to qualify for the incentives.” Eligible work includes insulation, air-sealing, heating systems, cooling systems, domestic hot water equipment, windows, doors and skylights, some water saving measures and other work that reduces energy consumption.

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 1 3

w w w . g t a a o n l i n e . c o m

FEDERAL

NEW ENERGY RETROFIT INCENTIVES FOR LOW-RISE RENTALS JOHN DICKIE, PRESIDENT, CFAA

T

water saving measures and other work that reduces energy consumption.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS? To qualify for the program, an owner must first register their property or properties with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) before taking other steps.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS? The work must be completed so that receipts can be provided to the energy advisor at the time of the post-work inspection before March 31, 2012, or earlier. The owner must sign the application for the rebates by March 31, 2012, or earlier. Only work performed after June 6, 2011 (and after the initial energy evaluation) qualifies.

he newly extended federal eco-Energy Retrofit Incentive Program for HOMES applies to residential rental buildings with fewer than four storeys and a footprint of less than 600 square metres (6458 square feet), as well as to mobile homes on a permanent foundation.

Then the building(s) must be assessed for energy efficiency by an NRCan-licensed energy advisor, at your expense. In arranging for an energy advisor, you need to check that they will evaluate a multiple unit building of your size, and you can sometimes negotiate a reduced price for multiple buildings. On its list of “service organizations”, NRCan notes those which can evaluate a multiple unit building with an asterisk (*). The rebates are available to owners who carry out energy efficiency retrofits based on some or all of the energy advisor’s recommendations. You may want to start with one building, or one building in each of several complexes, to see whether the rebate is worth the effort and expense of using the energy advisor. Alternately, the energy advisor may deliver value through making suggestions you have not considered. HOW IS THE REBATE CALCULATED? The rebate amount is the total of the listed amounts for all the specific items of retrofit work that is completed. For example, for replacing a furnace with an ENERGY STAR qualified gas furnace that has a 90% annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) you receive $300. Install instead a similar furnace with a 92% AFUE and a DC variable speed motor, and you receive $500. Insulation work is evaluated for effectiveness (e.g. how much is the increase in the R-value) to determine the basic rebate, and then a multiplier is applied depending on the building size. The energy advisor should be able to explain all the rebates that are available to help fund the work he or she advises be done. WHAT WORK QUALIFIES? Besides furnaces and insulation, other eligible work includes air-sealing, other heating systems, cooling systems, domestic hot water equipment, windows, doors and skylights, some

1 4 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

You should act soon because the program funding may run out, resulting in a termination of the program before March 31, 2012. HOW DO YOU APPLY? You can obtain more information at the website of the Office of Energy Efficiency at www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca in the section ecoEnergy Retrofit and then Homeowners/Residential Property Owners. Or go direct to http://www.ecoaction.gc.ca/ ecoenergy-ecoenergie/retrofithomes-renovationmaisonseng.cfm. Do not be put off because the website keeps addressing readers as homeowners, instead of residential landlords! CFAA’S ROLE Thanks to CFAA’s government relations work in 2008 and 2009, the maximum incentive is $5,000 per unit (rather than per building), and larger buildings are eligible for much larger rebates than single family homes. As well, the presence of some commercial space no longer disqualifies a building which is mostly residential. Of the 3.4 million private rental homes in Canada, more than 2 million fall within the ecoEnergy Retrofit Incentive Program for HOMES program. CFAA is pleased with the extension of the program and with the changes that make the program more useful for rental owners. CFAA continues to advocate vigorously for fair treatment and the inclusion of rental housing when federal building subsidy programs are implemented. GTAA is one of 17 members of the Canadian Federation of Apartment Associations, the sole national organization representing the interests of Canada’s $40 billion private rental housing industry, which provides homes for more than seven million Canadians.

FEDERAL

CFAA Supports New Framework for Affordable Housing ttawa, July 5 – The Canadian Federation of Apartment Associations (CFAA) supports the Federal Government in adopting a new Affordable Housing Framework that will allow Provinces and Territories more flexibility on the allocation of federal money to affordable housing issues.

O

Announced yesterday, the new framework will provide $1.4 billion over the next three years on affordable housing initiatives across Canada, encompassing renovations on existing affordable housing units, new construction or conversion and improvements on direct assistance to tenants like rent supplements and shelter allowances.

“CFAA endorses the provincial flexibility which has been adopted in the framework, while maintaining a requirement for accountability to the public regarding the achievement of intended outcomes under the framework,” says CFAA President John Dickie. “CFAA looks forward to and urges the continuation of funding for rehabilitation, including the RRAP program and for the continued support for programs countering and mitigating homelessness.” CFAA urges the Provinces and Territories to use the added flexibility to expand and implement rent supplements and shelter allowances, including housing benefits or housing allowances; these approaches have proven to be very successful and cost effective in many provinces.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: DAVID LYMAN CFAA VICE PRESIDENT, AT (613) 235-0101.

Multi-unit Residential Smart Sub-metering Services

No hidden costs. Unparalelled support. 100% Worry-free solutions. CARMA Smart Sub-meters reduce your operating expenses and protect your investment with technology that is engineered to last the lifetime of your building -- eliminating the risk of costly upgrades and replacements.

With CARMA, you invest once. We perform for life. Guaranteed.

The Smarter Way to Sub-meter Your Building

To learn more, call: 1-888-298-3336 CARMA Sub-metering and Billing Solutions

© CARMA Industries Inc. 2009. All rights reserved.

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 1 5

ARE YOU A PROPERTY OR FACILITY MANAGER?

Establish YOUR CREDENTIALS with an RPA® or FMA® Designation

Recognized industry wide as a symbol of achievement and skill, a BOMI designation provides you with the knowledge to manage your properties and take your career to a new level.

“25% of BOMI graduates received a promotion after obtaining their new designation” Our courses are designed to fit your schedule, choose from self-study, on-line instructor led, or accelerated classroom review.

“The relevant knowledge that I attained through the courses leading to my BOMI designation have increased my job security and gotten me numerous job offers…”

Register today by calling:

1-888-821-9319

416-977-8700

Email [email protected]

Web www.bomicanada.com

C

A

N

A

D

A

PROVINCIAL

2012 Rent Increase Guideline: 3.1% July 29, 2011, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and released the following: OnHousing

Ontario’s annual Rent Increase Guideline is based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is a measure of inflation calculated monthly by Statistics Canada. This year, the rate of allowable rent increases for 2012 will be 3.1 per cent. The guideline is the maximum amount that most landlords can increase a tenant’s rent during the year without making an application to the Landlord and Tenant Board. The 2012 guideline applies to rent increases between January 1 and December 31, 2012. The average yearly increase from 2004-2011 was 1.89 per cent. The average yearly increase from 1993 - 2003 was 3.17 per cent. The 2012 guideline is calculated under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, and the calculation is based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index

The rent for a unit can be increased up to the guideline limit if at least 12 months have passed since a tenant first moved in, or if at least 12 months have passed since the last rent increase. A tenant must be given proper written notice of a rent increase at least 90 days before the rent increase takes effect. The written notice should be on the N1 Form, “Notice of Rent increase”, available from the Landlord Tenant Board website, www.ltb.gov.on.ca, under the section “Notices of Rent Increases”. There is no requirement for approval by the Landlord Tenant Board. Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rick Bartolucci has promised to change the way Ontario’s rent increase is determined. In 2006, the Liberals passed the current legislation that ties the rent increase guideline to the Ontario consumer price index. Mr. Bartolucci now says that system no longer works because higher prices for products, such as gas, are skewing the price index. If re-elected in October the Liberals would change the legislation early in their next mandate. No details were provided. The GTAA concurs that the current rent control guideline formula needs to be revised. The rent levels have not gone up enough to cover the cost increases in managing and maintaining rental properties. The rent needs to cover the cost of maintaining these older buildings and their components. Ontario’s strict rent control guideline should be revised to a formula similar to BC (CPI + 2%) or as previously used in Ontario (cost + 2%). It is widely recognized that as buildings age there are more capital expenditures. A guideline that allows basic and necessary capital expenditures to be done will help maintain the GTA’s and Ontario’s rental stock.

BACKGROUNDER THE 2012 RENT INCREASE GUIDELINE The annual Rent Increase Guideline is a calculation based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index by Statistics Canada. The rent increase guideline applies to most private residential rental accommodation covered by the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA). The guideline does not apply to: Vacant residential units Residential units first occupied on or after November 1, 1991 Social housing units Nursing homes Commercial property TIMING OF RENT INCREASES In most cases, the rent for a unit can be increased if at least 12 months have passed since a tenant first moved in, or if at least 12 months have passed since the last rent increase. A tenant must be given proper written notice of a rent increase at least 90 days before the rent increase takes effect. CALCULATION OF THE GUIDELINE The rent increase guideline is calculated under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, and is based only on the Ontario Consumer Price Index which is calculated monthly by Statistics Canada. The 2012 rent increase guideline was calculated by averaging the percentage increase in the Ontario Consumer Price Index during the previous 12 months from June 2010 to May 2011. SAMPLE RENT INCREASE CALCULATION The monthly rent of an apartment is $800 beginning August 1, 2011. With proper written 90 days notice to the tenant, the landlord could lawfully increase the rent 12 months later on August 1, 2012. For example: The guideline for 2012 is 3.1 per cent. The rent increase is 3.1 per cent of $800 = $24.80. Therefore, the new rent on August 1, 2012 could be up to $824.80 ($800 + $24.80).

PREVIOUS RENT INCREASE GUIDELINES YEAR

GUIDELINE %

YEAR

GUIDELINE %

2011

0.7

2000

2.6

2010

2.1

1999

3.0

2009

1.8

1998

3.0

2008

1.4

1997

2.8

2007

2.6

1996

2.8 2.9

2006

2.1

1995

2005

1.5

1994

3.2

2004

2.9

1993

4.9

2003

2.9

1992

6.0

2002

3.9

1991

5.4

2001

2.9

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 1 7

w w w . g t a a o n l i n e . c o m

PROVINCIAL

Provincial Election T

he date is set, and candidates will be making their rounds during the balance of this summer through to October 6th. You will be contacted and asked for support.

easier, helps sustainable communities, intensification of cities and reduces use of space. For these reasons and more, the following concerns need to be given serious consideration.

Campaign platforms are often distributed at the onset of campaigning and set the tone to distinguish each party. These form the basis of what each party has identified as key issues and their position on each defines them. Their hope is that most electors agree.

GOOD TENANTS DON’T NEED PROTECTION: Bad tenants shouldn’t be over protected. The good tenants are detrimentally affected by the bad tenants. The small percentage of tenants who cause disturbances and force funds to be allocated to damage repair and loss of revenue from skips, are being overly protected by an eviction process which is far too lengthy and leaves landlords with little ability to recover costs which are escalated due to the onerous process currently in place. Every cost hardship to a landlord creates a cost hardship to the tenant. The majority of tenants pay on time, cause no damage and have no negative effect on their neighbours. Legislative changes suggested below would greatly benefit the majority of renters and their living space:

Platforms are carefully thought out and planned, but in reality campaigning is a very dynamic and fluid endeavour. The public and the media grab onto certain issues – irrespective of their inclusion in any party’s platform – and whole elections can be determined by one or a few unanticipated matters. These turning points happen with great frequency – a groundswell of support or opposition hinged on one topic that was unforeseen. SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO US?

It means that our industry can and should promote some priority issues. The opportunity is now. We need to speak up and get our message across to as many candidates as possible. These candidates will in turn advise their central policy advisors and determine their position based on the level of interest presented by the public. The Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) has produced their 2011 Ontario Election Toolkit for Landlords and Property Managers. This kit details priority issues, provides advice on how to get involved, how to effectively communicate with candidates, and has a list of candidates by riding. A series of message templates dealing with each key issue is included. For more information and to obtain this kit, please contact FRPO (416.385.1100 x21). HIGHLIGHTS PROVIDED BY OUR FRIENDS AT THE HAMILTON AND DISTRICT APARTMENT ASSOCIATION.

The rental housing industry is a vital component of our economy as it houses 30-40% of Ontario’s residents. The trickledown effect from this industry must not be taken lightly. The rental housing industry impacts a huge number of constituents including manufactures and suppliers of building products, plumbers, electricians, painters, superintendents, accountants, lawyers, real-estate agents, elevator contractors, laundry equipment suppliers, roofers, landscapers, carpenters, etc. Rental is good for employment mobility, reduces gridlock because moving is

1 8 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

Change the last month rent to a damage deposit. Allowing refundable damage deposits would create an incentive for tenants to prevent damages and maintain units in good condition, while allowing landlords partial cost recovery and improve the quality of housing for all tenants. Reduce the length of time it takes to get a bad tenant out. It should not take over 80 days to evict a non-paying tenant. Reduce the statutory delays built into the system (like the 14 day period to file a notice and the 11 day period to order enforcement by the sheriff), by providing more resources to the LTB and allowing private bailiffs to enforce evictions. Bringing back default orders will save time and money for the LTB, while still allowing the tenant an opportunity to have his/her dispute heard. The current delay makes it profitable for bad tenants to be evicted repeatedly at a cost to good tenants. TAX: Tenants – who on average have half the income of homeowners –are over taxed. In Hamilton, renters are paying property taxes (within their rent) approximately 2.6 times more than homeowners do in their property tax (the province should enforce their guideline ratio of 1 to 1.1). Tenants face a huge upward pressure on rents due to the implementation of the HST. It is simplistic and unrealistic to think that maintenance and other issues won’t be greatly reduced due to the added burden this tax placed on the landlord. The following are some suggested changes to tax that would greatly affect the cost of living for a third of the population:

PROVINCIAL

Zero Rate Residential rents – Allowing Landlords to claim back the HST would stabilize rents and continue to allow sufficient budgeting to maintaining standards of maintenance. The implementation of the HST has resulted in an 8% increase on approximately 40% of typical landlord expenses, this in turn will force an upward pressure in rent. HST Exemptions core expenses – Exempting heating, electricity and property maintenance services such as plumbers, electricians & elevator contractors will again stabilize rents, maintain standards of maintenance and relieve upward pressure in rent.

RENT CONTROL GUIDLINE: The current rent control guideline formula needs to be revised. The rent levels have not gone up enough to cover the cost increases in managing and maintaining rental properties. The rent needs to cover the cost of maintaining these older buildings that face problems with failing building components. Ontario has a strict rent control guideline that should be revised to a formula similar to BC (CPI + 2%) or as previously used in Ontario (cost + 2%). It is widely recognized that as buildings age there are more capital expenditures. A guideline that allows basic and necessary capital expenditures to be done will help maintain Ontario’s rental stock.

200 WELLESLEY STREET FIRE INVESTIGATION COMPLETE DISCARDED CIGARETTE CITED AS CAUSE fter a comprehensive fire investigation, the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) has determined that the cause of the fire that began at 200 Wellesley Street East in Toronto on September 24, 2010 was a discarded cigarette that landed on combustible materials on the balcony of apartment 2424.

A

The tremendous growth and spread of the fire was a result of the excessive amount of combustible materials stored on the balcony and in the suite of origin. Therefore, the OFM is urging landlords and property owners to inform local fire departments of instances of hoarding where they believe it poses a fire safety risk. Local fire departments can help to address these instances of hoarding through the Ontario Fire Code and their partnerships with other community mental health and supporting agencies. In the context of this large multi-unit dwelling, the intensity of the fire hampered firefighting efforts of Toronto Fire Services and created a significant risk to first responders and those attempting to evacuate the building. This was due to the excessive amount of materials stored on the balcony, which well exceeded the height of the safety railing, and combustible materials that were stored at a significant depth throughout the apartment. Given the amount of these

combustible materials, the dwelling was no longer being used for its intended purpose and could have physically trapped an individual inside. During the incident, a total of 17 people, including five children and three firefighters were injured and transported to numerous hospitals by Toronto EMS. Everyone has since been released from hospital. The 30 storey, 711 unit residential apartment building owned by Toronto Community Housing Corporation was operated by a property management company at the time of the fire. The OFM’s investigative nine member team looked into many factors that contributed to the fire including building performance, fire prevention records, occupant behaviour and fire safety planning and evacuation. “Though we are fortunate no one died as a result, this fire caused significant property loss and hardship for everyone who lived in the building. Ontarians are urged to contact their local fire departments if they are aware of dwellings where an excessive amount of combustible materials are present that may pose a fire safety risk.” - Ted Wieclawek, Ontario Fire Marshal

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 1 9

w w w . g t a a o n l i n e . c o m

MUNICIPAL

CORE SERVICE REVIEW PROGRAM SERVICE REVIEW PROGRAM - OVERVIEW o address Toronto’s 2012 budget gap of $774 million, City Council launched a review of all of its services and implemented a multi-year financial planning process.

T

The Service Review Program includes: a Core Service Review that examines which services the City should be delivering, Service Efficiency Studies that examines service levels and how specific City services are delivered to ensure the most efficient and cost-effective service delivery, and a User Fee Review that examines all user fees currently in place to determine the extent to which they are fair and collect the full cost of providing the service. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT - CORE SERVICE REVIEW Findings from the Core Service Review process were reported by the City Manager to the City’s Standing Committees beginning the week of July 18. Each Standing Committee will consider findings from the Core Service Review specific to the mandate of the Committee and make recommendations to Executive Committee for its September meeting. The City Manager will comment on Standing Committee recommendations and submit a report directly to Executive Committee for consideration. It is Council’s responsibility to make final decisions about City services and how they are delivered, and to determine which services are core to Toronto’s needs. The Core Service Review is intended to align City services and service levels in the context of the 2012 Operating Budget. The Core Service Review looked at all services delivered by City divisions and agencies. It included an external review of City services by KPMG LLP, and a public engagement strategy coordinated by the City Manager’s Office. KPMG LLP REVIEW KPMG LLP was the successful proponent to conduct an external review of City services. Scope of the KPMG review includes the following: • Review and analysis of the City’s approximately 105 services • Review and analysis of approximately 50 services provided by the City’s agencies, boards and commissions (reported to the Executive Committee meeting of July 28) 2 0 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

• Research and analysis of several comparable municipalities and jurisdictions. The consultants were asked to apply a “core service filter" to determine the degree to which services are core and at what service level they are delivered. In their assessment, the consultants considered whether a service is core or discretionary, according to the following scale: • Mandatory (1): mandated or required by legislation from the provincial or federal governments • Essential (2): critical to the operation of the city. Without the service, the city would stop functioning • Traditional (3): municipal service, provided by virtually all large municipalities for many years • Other (4): service provided by the City to respond to particular community needs, based on a positive business case, or other specialized purposes. The consultants also looked at service level standards to understand the degree to which the standard was prescribed by legislation, set by Council, City management or by funding agreement. In addition, they compared the level of service against other municipalities and jurisdictions, and examined the City’s role in delivering the service. The KPMG findings summarize the programs, services and activities that may present an opportunity for the City to change the service. The options and opportunities presented by KPMG in its report are included for informed decision making by Committees and Council, only, and are not specific recommendations. The consultants’ assessments are appended to the City Manager's reports to the various Standing Committees. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY The public engagement strategy was designed to inform, involve and consult the public on City services and ran from Wednesday, May 11 to Friday, June 17. The engagement strategy included the following components:

continued on page 23

BB_Vol.10#1_August11_52.qxd:BB_Vol.9#1_August10

8/16/11

1:36 PM

Page 21

Attard Plumbing Ltd

EMERGENCY

SERVICE

SPECIALIZING IN EMERGENCY SERVICE POWER WASHING, CAMERA AND SNAKING DRAINS CERTIFIED IN BACKFLOW PREVENTION TRADE NO: P1593

MEMBER OF AWWA PLUMBING CONTRACTOR LICENCE #T943721214 MASTER PLUMBER LICENCE #T953721212

416 881 PIPE (7473) www.attardplumbing.com i ting . a ng . he ls . jan g . too ctrical . hea parts . lighti . lightin n i t h g i ing . l e parts . ele . appliance . plumbing ning plumb orial . re . applianc ts hardware . janitorial . air conditio ty a hardw fety . cabine lation . safe ctrical . hvac a i t s le n . lation itioning . ve nce parts . e ty . cabinets d a i e n l f air co dware . app tilation . sa more r ven ols . ha re

DO

@

Parts s upplie s S o m oduct ore Pr m

‡   KRXU KRXU RUGHULQJ RUGHULQJ ‡ RQOLQH RQOLQH EXVLQHVV EXVLQHVV WRROV WRROV

‡ ZKROHVDOH SULFHV ORJLQ ‡ IDVW IDVW GHSHQGDEOH GHSHQGDEOH GHOLYHU\ GHOLYHU\

‡ YLHZ RYHU RYHU  LWHPV ‡ SDUWV SDU WV LOOXVWUDWLRQV LOOXVWUDWLRQV ‡ QHZ QHZ SURGXFWV SURGXFWV GDLO\

‡ H[FOXVLYH H[FOXVLYH LQVLGHU Á\HU Á\HU GHDOV ‡ ORFDWLRQV ORFDWLRQV DFURVV DFURVV &DQDGD &DQDGD RYHU ‡R YHU  \HDUV \HDUV VHUYLQJ VHUYLQJ \RX \RX

Property Perfo Performance ormance Centres

2161 Midl Midland land Ave. Scarborough, O Ont M1P 4T3 P and Midland south east corner of Progress Ph: 416-412-7278 Fax: 416-412-7890

www.amresupply.com www .amres supply.com

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 2 1

w w w . g t a a o n l i n e . c o m 2 2 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

MUNICIPAL

continued from page 20 • Website (torontoservicereview.ca) - one-stop source of background information on City services and the Service Review Program

A total of 13,000 people provided their input using the consultation feedback form, which included multiple choice and open-ended questions.

• Interactive blog for participants to share their thoughts on service priorities

The City’s eight public sessions provided information on City services and facilitated discussion among participants. Each two-hour session included two 40-minute discussions, a presentation from either the City Manager or the City's Chief Financial Officer on the City's operating budget, and a snapshot report on the general themes that emerged from participants in their first discussion.

• Feedback form (available online and in hardcopy) • Information kits available for use by organizations, individuals and City Councillors to support small group discussions and provide input • Eight public meetings, held across Toronto at various times and days of the week, to give the public opportunities to learn about and discuss City services and give their feedback. ENGAGEMENT RESPONSE & REPORTING The City Manager is reporting the findings and high-level analysis of the information garnered through the public engagement process to Standing Committees. The report and analysis are intended to assist Council with making decisions about core services. The Public Consultation Report provides a high-level analysis of qualitative, quantitative and demographic information, summary reports on key service areas, themes from public discussions, email and written submissions, and community and Councillor-led sessions. The Consultation Report and raw data collected through the consultation, including materials submitted by City Councillors, has been posted to www.torontoservice review.ca/results and linked to the City's Open Data initiative www.toronto.ca/open in the hopes that others will conduct their own analysis on the input and provide their comments to the City.

Participants were asked to place 35 services in one of three categories: “Necessary for the city to be livable and prosperous”, “Contributes to the city but less important”, and “Not required for the City”. The quantitative input from the feedback form contains information on the importance participants ascribed to key municipal issues, service priorities, opinions on investing or reducing costs for governance and support services, comparing Toronto to other municipalities, property taxes, and input on taxation and user fees in relation to service levels. The qualitative data contains information about the 10 service areas where there was the greatest feedback and provides an analysis of the issues people felt were the most important facing the city in 2011, comments on funding options and considerations for City Council when it makes decisions about services in the future. Demographic information about participants who chose to complete that section of the feedback form is summarized in the Consultation Report as well. Demographic categories include gender, age, household income, highest level of education completed, whether a participant has children under 18, home ownership or rental, and business ownership.

PARKING STRUCTURE REHABILITATION BALCONY, MASONRY, AND CAULKING REPAIRS

TEL

905-848-2992 FAX 905-848-3883 www.conterra.ca

TRAFFIC DECK WATERPROOFING SYSTEMS EXPANSION JOINTS HYDRODEMOLITION

3633 ERINDALE STATION ROAD, MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO L5C 2S9

SPECIALIZED CONCRETE REPAIRS

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 2 3

w w w . g t a a o n l i n e . c o m

MUNICIPAL

STANDING COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS ity Council scheduled special meetings of the standing committees, Executive Committee and City Council to consider the results of a review of City services.

• Water Treatment and Supply

The schedule and process was adopted by City Council on April 12 and 13, 2011 under Item EX4.10 Service Review Program, 2012 Budget Process and Multi-Year Financial Planning Process.

• Road and Sidewalk Maintenance

THE MEETING PROCESS: • Special Committee Meetings, July 18-28, 2011 Each of the standing committees (including the Executive Committee) will meet to consider the results of the core service review process and make recommendations to the Executive Committee on September 19, 2011. City Council has also directed the City Manager to comment on the standing committee recommendations in a report to the September 19 Executive Committee.

• Business Services

• Special Executive Committee Meeting, September 19, 2011 The Executive Committee will meet to consider the recommendations of the standing committees together with a summary report from the City Manager.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND RECREATION COMMITTEE CHILDREN’S SERVICES

C

• Special City Council Meeting, September 27-28, 2011 City Council will meet to consider the report of the Executive Committee meeting of September 19. PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

• Public Education, Revenue Generation and Contract Management • Solid Waste Collection • Solid Waste Processing, Transfer and Disposal TECHNICAL SERVICES

• Engineering Policies, Standards and Support • Engineering Review and Approval • Land Surveys and Mapping

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

• Public Right of Way Management • Transportation Network Control and Safety ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURE

• Cultural Services • Economic Competitiveness Services TORONTO EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES

• Employment Services • Financial Assistance • Social Supports

• Child Care Delivery • Child Care Service System Management EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

• Emergency Medical Services FIRE SERVICES

• Fire Prevention, Inspection and Enforcement • Fire Rescue and Emergency Response • Fire Safety Education PARKS , FORESTRY AND RECREATION

• Community Recreation SHELTER , SUPPORT AND HOUSING ADMINISTRATION

• Homeless and Housing First Solutions • Social Housing System Management

• Municipal Infrastructure Design and Construction

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

TORONTO WATER

• Social Policy and Planning

• Storm Water Management • Wastewater Collection and Treatment

2 4 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

• Community and Neighbourhood Development

MUNICIPAL

PARKS AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE PARKS , FORESTRY AND RECREATION

• Parks • Urban Forestry • Toronto Environment Office LICENSING AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE

Municipal Licensing and Standards Animal Care and Enforcement Business licensing, enforcement and permitting Property Enforcement GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

• 3-1-1 INTERNAL SERVICES

• Accounting Services • Court Services • Facilities and Real Estate • Fleet Services • Financial Management and Administration for Divisions • Information Technology • Parking Ticket Operations • Purchasing and Materials Management • Payroll, Pension and Employee Benefits • Property Tax Billing • Utility Billing • Revenue Accounting and Collection • Tax, Utility, Parking Ticket Client Services PLANNING AND GROW TH MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE CITY PLANNING

• City Clerk’s Office • Legal Services SPECIAL OFFICE / INITIATIVES

• Affordable Housing • Office of Emergency Management • Emergency Human Services • Toronto Office of Partnerships • Waterfront Secretariat • Community Partnership and Investment Program (CPIP) AGENCIES

• Arena Boards of Management • Association of Community Centres • Exhibition Place • Heritage Toronto • Theatres • Toronto Atmospheric Fund (TAF) • Toronto Parking Authority • Toronto Police Service • Toronto Public Library • Administration • Library Facility Access • Library Collection Use • Programs and Outreach • Toronto Public Health • Chronic Disease and Injury • Family Health • Dental and Child Health

• City Building and Policy Development

• Dental Health and Investing in Families

• Civic and Community Improvement

• Community Partnership and Investments Program

• Development Review, Decision and Implementation

• Infectious Diseases

TORONTO BUILDINGS

• Environmental Health

• Building Inspection

• Emergency Preparedness

• Building Permission and Information EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE GOVERNANCE

• City Manager’s Office • Corporate Finance • Financial Planning

• Toronto Transit Commission • Conventional Transit • Wheel-Trans Transit • Toronto Zoo • Yonge-Dundas Square

• Special Projects

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 2 5

w w w . g t a a o n l i n e . c o m

MUNICIPAL

It’s Broke, So Fix It oronto’s Executive Committee sat through an unprecedented 22½ hour session just prior to the Simcoe Day long weekend. This was on the heels of a series of standing committee meetings where consultant KPMG presented opportunities to reduce Toronto’s operating costs. The local media reported some of the highlights and many of the most controversial considerations. Libraries, fire services, policing, parking authority, TTC, and many others were placed on the table for further review, evaluation and deliberation before going to Council for final decisions.

T

Mayor Ford has repeatedly stated that City Hall has a spending problem. The process that has just begun will determine what is essential, and what is affordable. Perhaps in the end, City Council will collectively realize that there are wiser ways to spend limited cash. This is welcome news to our industry. The “big bad landlords” are often the dumping ground for red tape and fees, with little or no consideration as to how these negatively affect our operations. There is no endless bucket of cash used to operate our buildings. Every new cost imposed is balanced with reductions elsewhere in each portfolio. In business, the books must balance. Private businesses don’t have the luxury of going to the tax-payer funded well to draw more money on a whim. Landlords should be respected as the providers of vital infrastructure and a true partner with all levels of government. The GTAA’s members own and operate 160,000 apartment suites in the immediate area. This represents more than 60% of the private rental stock. Our members take their businesses seriously. They invest in long term capital improvements, as any viable business would. Our buildings include most of the best run in the City. Last term, some members of Council were bent on creating a brand new licensing scheme that would audit every apartment suite in the City – with an enormous price tag that they decided would be borne by landlords – a “cost recovery” scenario. The GTAA countered that there was no need to audit every unit. The City’s Municipal Licensing and Standards

Department already had a good sense of which buildings were in need of inspection. MLS should attack the problem buildings surgically and get them fixed. This would result in quick action where it was needed the most, and be cost effective by spending resources wisely. There was absolutely no need to create a costly endeavour to get at a few bad apples. The City seems to often forget that it is the largest landlord around. Toronto Community Housing’s portfolio includes 60,000 units. Any new policy or regulation affects Toronto’s own housing company the most. More reasonable approaches would likely provide more operating capital to fund greatly needed repairs in many of their buildings. But, as a City owned entity, new or additional spending is more of a paper shuffle than actual expenditures. And they can always go back to the well for more. The City’s flirtation with their original plan to audit every suite was an example of how there was little or no regard for expenses – their own and that of landlords and tenants. Toronto’s finances need to be sustainable, viable and realistic. Get all the books in order first, and then decide if reductions to service or increases in user fees are required. Demonstrate that every reasonable effort has been made to establish what is truly needed and what funding levels are required. Everything is now supposed to be reviewed, discussed, and debated. Don’t succumb to every plea to “save my” or “don’t cut my” favourite service. Some difficult choices are required in September. It is in no one’s best interest to run the City into bankruptcy. Taxpayers currently pay $445 million per year in interest just to service the City’s debt. In the long run we will be better off. Yes, this exercise is absolutely necessary and immediate changes are needed. The City can not balance its books while maintaining its present trajectory. Bring in more business acumen to operate internally! And, respect the businesses that employ, house, and provide the goods and services to the citizens that make Toronto one of the best cities in the world.

DARYL CHONG IS THE PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE GREATER TORONTO APARTMENT ASSOCIATION. HE WORKED INSIDE TORONTO CITY HALL FOR SIX YEARS AS AN EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO A COUNCILLOR; THEN PURSUED A CAREER IN CONSULTING FOR MORE THAN A DECADE. HIS CONSULTING CLIENTS HAVE INCLUDED A WIDE RANGE OF INDUSTRIES INCLUDING ECOMMERCE, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, TRANSPORTATION, ADVERTISING, ENERGY AND GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT.

2 6 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

MUNICIPAL

KPMG SUGGESTS REDUCE RECYCLING TARGETS

A PA R T M E N T L AU N D RY SYST E M S

SINCE 1961 OUR NAME HAS BEEN SYNONYMOUS WITH SERVICE EXCELLENCE AND DEPENDABILITY Your choice of coin operated or smart card equipment Front load, high energy efficient Maytag machines Revenue share, rental plans and sales All machines come with full audit capabilities

One of the cost saving opportunities identified was the reduction of aggressive diversion targets. When contacted by the local media to provide comment regarding this matter, Daryl Chong noted that, “GTAA members and our tenant communities support recycling and other environmentally conscious programs. We collectively and individually participate as much as possible to reduce, reuse, recycle and divert waste from landfill. We will continue our efforts to do as much as we can.”

MU LT IP LE WI NN ER S OF TH E RE D CA RP ET SE RV IC E AWAR D

P R E S E N T E D

T O

T H E

TOP MAYTAG DISTRIBUTOR IN THE WORLD

MU LT IP LE WI NN ER S OF TH E FR ED MAYTAG TRAV EL LI NG TR OP HY

TO R O N TO B RA N C H

5915 Coopers Avenue, Mississauga, Ontario Phone: 905-890-1220 OR 1-800-387-9503 Fax: 905-890-7039 O N TA R I O - Q U E B EC - N OVA S C OT I A

W W W. H A R C O C O . C O M

PROLONGED POWER OUTAGE DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER n June 23rd, the GTAA attended a meeting convened by the Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance and the Toronto Environment Office to discuss forming a multi-sectoral action group to address the Toronto region's resilience to more frequent extreme weather events.

O

Climate Change Adaptation Project (Canada) and the Auditor General of Canada have identified that infrastructure and climate change are critical issues that challenge the prosperity of Canada. Power infrastructure failures are their most significant concern with respect to extreme weather. Additional significant concerns include water infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, and business disruption leading to lost revenue. The result of this initial meeting is the creation of an Action Group that focuses on identifying and minimizing the risk of extreme weather events to the continuity of power to people and organizations in the GTA.

We have a large dependence on reliable and uninterrupted power, as we experienced first hand in August 2003. The GTAA’s members need to know what to do during a prolonged power outage. Such an outage could impair the operations of water utilities, limiting our supply of potable water. Transportation networks could be congested with the failure or traffic signals. The ability to communicate via the media and telecommunications would be limited as well. The Action Group will develop a plan of action to address the identified areas of interest and, where feasible, take collaborative steps to implement action. GTAA looks forward to participating in this Action Group to emphasize our interest in assisting those living in apartment buildings. The Action Group will hold a forum by the end of 2012 to communicate the action plan to a larger group of stakeholders.

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 2 7

w w w . g t a a o n l i n e . c o m

MUNICIPAL

Nuisance Fire Alarms he GTAA met with senior fire officials to discuss the fines associated with nuisance fire alarms at apartment buildings. The meeting was arranged by Councillor Cesar Palacio (Chair, Licensing & Standards Committee) and Councillor Gloria Lindsay Luby (Member, Licensing & Standards Committee) and attended by Deputy Chief Frank Lamie and Division Chief Toni Vigna.

conditions. If it is determined no life threatening condition exists to any trapped occupant inside the elevator car and that a responsible person from the building (e.g. security officer, property manager, superintendent, etc.) is standing by and monitoring the condition of the occupants for any changes, Communications Centre personnel will:

Since the meeting, Daryl Chong, President, GTAA has been in regular contact with Division Chief Vigna.

(b) Instruct the building representative or tenant to immediately call 9-1-1 if any conditions begin to deteriorate;

Many GTAA members have advised that the principal cause of nuisance fire alarm fines is a direct result of passengers – who are stuck in an elevator – calling 9-1-1 from their personal mobile telephones. This matter has been discussed with TFS.

(c) Dispatch a normal elevator emergency dispatch if there is any doubt as to the condition of the occupants or it is deemed they are not in the care of a responsible building representative;

T

The 9-1-1 Communications Centre is operated by Toronto Police Services. Toronto Police answer the calls and determine through a few basic questions whether to dispatch police or route the call to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) or Fire (TFS). The 9-1-1 trainer advised that “stuck in elevator” calls that do not require medical attention are routed to TFS Communications Centre for further processing and assessment. Police are no longer involved in the transaction (unless further developments require their attention). Here are some general guidelines followed with respect to elevator incidents. These guidelines may not address all circumstances; some conditions may exist which require professional judgement be exercised at the scene and by the Officer in Charge. Decisionsalways take into consideration the safety of the public and TFS personnel. TFS provided the following details: AT THE TIME OF DISPATCH

When receiving calls to the TFS Communications Centre regarding people trapped in elevator cars, personnel will determine if a threat to life or safety exists to any person(s) trapped inside the elevator car in the form of (a) severe health and/or psychological conditions; (b) property damage and/or fire conditions. Toronto Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are notified and updated with relevant information regarding health

2 8 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

(a) NOT dispatch fire vehicles to the incident;

For all incidents, a building representative should be instructed to contact their elevator maintenance company to assist in the removal of trapped passengers. The Communications Centre Dispatcher records the reason for dispatching the apparatus (e.g. medical or psychological emergency). AT THE INCIDENT SITE

TFS personnel will attempt to: (a) Notify the building representative (e.g. Superintendent, etc.) of the trapped passenger situation; (b) Instruct the building representative to contact their elevator maintenance company to assist in the removal of trapped passengers. It is the responsibility of the building representative to call for an elevator maintenance company. If no building representative is present to make the call, the elevator maintenance company name and emergency telephone number is located and forwarded to the TFS Communications Centre for action; (c) Assess the condition of the elevator occupants for life threatening conditions. If the occupants are in no immediate danger, they are reassured that help from the elevator maintenance company is pending. Personnel will standby and continue to assess occupants for changes in their condition in the event there is no responsible person standing by. Personnel may clear if satisfied that

MUNICIPAL

a responsible person is standing by and assessing the occupants for change in their condition; (d) Initiate an appropriate rescue operation based upon a potential "life threatening situation" (e.g. medical or psychological emergency). DOCUMENTATION/BILLING/OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

TFS Personnel will complete the appropriate form as well as an incident report. This documentation forms the basis for determining whether an incident is billable under the by-law. When an invoice for a TFS elevator response is disputed, the documentation may be reviewed further. Decisions to reclassify "non-emergency" to "emergency" incidents and to rescind invoices are made on a case by case basis, in consideration of any new information and supporting/related documentation provided. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 442 – Fees and Charges, provides the following definitions. NON-EMERGENCY ELEVATOR INCIDENT RESPONSE – A response to a building to free an individual from an elevator that is inoperative due to a mechanical failure, equipment malfunction or improper maintenance or installation of the elevator or any of its components, but does not include a response to free an individual who has urgent medical needs or has been placed in immediate danger as a result of the elevator being inoperative.

or improper maintenance or installation of the system, but does not include the activation of a fire alarm system where the activation occurred as a result of accidental damage to the system. www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/1184_442.pdf To reiterate the main sticking point, if TFS determines there is no life threatening condition exists to any trapped occupant inside the elevator car and that a responsible person from the building (e.g. security officer, property manager, superintendent, etc.) is standing by and monitoring the condition of the occupants for any changes, Communications Centre personnel will NOT dispatch fire vehicles to the incident. However, if no one from the building is standing by, then the communications office will dispatch the trucks. TFS states that the fines are for cost recovery and set provincially. TFS in recent budget discussions have noted that they are often stretched thin. If TFS personel are attending “stuck in elevator” calls that include no life threatening conditions, and doing so with three fully loaded vehicles each time, then there should be a reconsideration of how and when they dispatch fire trucks to these calls. GTAA is working with TFS to see if there is a better way to utilize their resources. If it is obvious that no emergency exists and TFS will not extract the stuck elevator passenger, then perhaps they could simply send an inspector in a sedan. Discussions are continuing this summer and the GTAA is hopeful of a resolution. You will be provided with an update with any developments regarding this issue.

NUISANCE FALSE ALARM – The activation of a fire alarm system through a mechanical failure, equipment malfunction

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 2 9

w w w . g t a a o n l i n e . c o m

MUNICIPAL

MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION OF CANADA AT HOME/CHEZ SOI RESEARCH DEMONSTRATION PROJECT t Home/Chez Soi is a national, four-year research demonstration project led by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC). It is exploring ways to help homeless people who have mental health issues, using an approach called Housing First, which is based on choice. Professionals help people quickly find housing they like using rent allowances and providing ongoing supports.

A

On June 14, 2011 the Greater Toronto Apartment Association and the Mental Health Commission of Canada co-hosted a roundtable discussion and mid-term update on the At Home/Chez Soi demonstration project in Toronto. Project organizers acknowledge that landlords are crucial to Housing First and are key partners in the At Home/Chez Soi project in Toronto. Landlords need to accept participants as tenants – with all the rights and obligations that go with being a tenant. Since this is a research demonstration project, learning about how Housing First projects can most effectively work with landlords, is an important area of inquiry. This meeting included a “Landlord Round Table” and took place at the GTAA office at 20 Upjohn Road. This MHCC funded Research Project to study how people who were homeless with mental health issues recover in five cities across Canada, started in 2009. Each participant receives help to find housing with a rent supplement as well as service provider support, and then their progress is studied until March of 2013. In Toronto, three service teams, Toronto North Support Services, Across Boundaries and COTA Health will work with 290 people – so far over 200 of these people have been housed and are being provided supports. The service teams work in partnership with the Research Team from St. Michael's Hospital, Centre for Research on Inner City Health, and the City of Toronto with Housing Connections. The event was sponsored by GTAA, and the chair Perry Fryers made welcoming remarks. Katherine Chislett from the City

3 0 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

of Toronto and on the Housing Team commented about the importance of landlords as project partners. Dr. Stephen Hwang, from the Centre for Research on Inner City Health, made a presentation about achievements so far in the MHCC project, including that it is the largest study of its kind ever done. Jo Connelly, Toronto North Support Services presented on behalf of two clients who wanted to thank landlords and tell about their new homes. The round table discussion was hosted by Kelly Murphy of the Centre for Research on Inner City Health, and the Toronto MHCC Site Coordinator, Faye More, made closing remarks. This exciting four-year initiative is at the mid-point, and this meeting included the sharing of preliminary research results as well receiving feedback from the landlords present as well as the service providers. Photos of some of our successful tenants in the program were shown. This project highlights a very successful partnership of the GTAA, three Service Teams, the City of Toronto and Housing Connections, St. Michael's Hospital Inner City Health, the Persons with Lived Experience Caucus, and the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Some of the key discussion topics included: The Agency should hold the head lease Landlords care about their tenants, but are not social workers Agency in-suite visits with clients are vital Dealing with clean-up and repairs after a client has moved out

A FOLLOW UP ROUND TABLE IN SIX MONTHS IS BEING SCHEDULED.

Avoid $7,090,434 in energy costs. With no capital investment. Energy costs are on the rise. Sub-metering with Stratacon now will help you save $7,090,434* over the next 10 years – all with no capital investment.

Why wait? For more information on how Stratacon’s sub-metering solution can help save you money, contact us at 905-695-2566 or visit our website at www.stratacon.ca.

*Applied to 1,000-suites with annual costs based on average consumption of 450 KWh/month/suite (at $0.11 per KWh). Based on current rates and 5% increase per annum thereafter. Turnover Rate 30% per annum. Over a 10-year period.

w w w . g t a a o n l i n e . c o m

MUNICIPAL

PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING ROUNDTABLE he Greater Toronto Apartment Association is participating in the City of Toronto's, Private-Sector Housing Roundtable. This private-sector roundtable was established by the Affordable Housing Committee to increase the private sector’s involvement in providing solutions. It is encouraging pilot projects and innovation among stakeholders. Toronto Councillor Ana Bailão is the Chair of the City’s Affordable Housing Committee and this Roundtable.

T

Daryl Chong, President, GTAA, states that “a housing allowance would help shorten the City’s waiting list for housing. Many on the list already reside in apartments throughout Toronto. A modest housing allowance would allow many to live where they choose and remove them from the wait list.” He further noted that a housing allowance could assist in moving many households to above the poverty line. The following advisory was released by the City of Toronto following our first meeting: COUNCILLOR BAILÃO FORMS PRIVATE-SECTOR HOUSING ROUNDTABLE June 21, 2011 – Councillor Ana Bailão, Chair of the Affordable Housing Committee has convened a roundtable of privatesector experts to promote prosperity in the City of Toronto through partnerships, innovation and the creation of housing opportunities during a period of limited government funding.

GENEROSITY CELEBRATED

“The City of Toronto is committed to working with its partners to respond to the significant housing needs of our residents," said Councillor Bailão. "I'm very pleased that this group has come together as a result of the recent Symposium on Poverty, Housing and Homelessness to provide advice and suggestions that will encourage the creation of more affordable homes." Roundtable members include representatives from Building, Industry and Land Development, the Central Ontario Building Trades, Toronto Board of Trade, United Way Toronto and the Greater Toronto Apartment Association, among others. The Roundtable will meet regularly with Councillor Bailão and officials from the City of Toronto to discuss new opportunities and cost-effective solutions to meet the housing needs of Toronto residents. It will report and make recommendations to the Affordable Housing Committee later this year. Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. CONTACT COUNCILLOR ANA BAILÃO, 4 1 6 - 39 2 - 70 1 2

GTAA’s commitment to Peel Children’s Aid Foundation includes attending special event, providing children a chance to go to camp and generously donating more than $15,000 to the Holiday Wishes Program. As a Holiday Wishes sponsor for the last three years, the GTAA has reached out to business contacts and challenged them to get involved. These donations have made a difference in the lives of youth at risk in Peel Region. Peel Children’s Aid Foundation’s Holiday Wishes Program provides children and youth living under the care and supervision of Peel Children’s Aid the opportunity to share in the joys of the holiday season with gifts and food vouchers. In 2010, The Holiday Wishes program reached over 2,000 children and youth and 650 families.

he Greater Toronto Apartment Association’s commitment to the community was celebrated recently by Peel T Children’s Aid Foundation. In June, the GTAA was invited to accept an award recognizing the organization generosity as donors who have given over $25,000. 3 2 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

Understanding the need for youth to prepare for living independently, GTAA has focused on providing gifts that assist youth. Many of these gifts include items these youth will need for their first apartments. Items like bedding, pots and pans, cutlery and dishes are often items these youth struggle to find. A gift focusing on the future gives the youth hope and optimism about living alone successfully. Cora Armstrong accepted the award on behalf of the GTAA.

MUNICIPAL

Hydro Vaults B

ased on our interpretation, the Toronto Municipal Code requires a key to every service room to be placed in the fire safety box (or equivalent). In other words, Toronto Hydro should provide the keys – to be placed into the fire safety box – to their transformer vault in your building, so that fire fighters can access it in an emergency.

§ 470-7. SERVICE ROOMS

The GTAA has asked Toronto Hydro to provide the keys.

The keysreferred to in Subsection A must at all times be equipped with metal or plastic tags that contain complete, up-to-date information clearly identifying the service rooms that the keys open.

We have also offered to co-produce a template form or letter that contains all the requisite details that can be sent by affected property owners to a single point of contact at Toronto Hydro. All of this is in an effort to streamline the process and avoid confusion. While we await Toronto Hydro’s response, the GTAA will proceed with the creation of a template letter for affected members to use. This letter will formally request the keys to each vault and create a record of correspondence. If Toronto Hydro provides the requested keys, they will be placed into the fire safety boxes, as per the Chapter 470 – Fire Safety Boxes. Compiling details of actual occurrences will assist in moving this item forward. If you have any experiences in this matter, please contact the GTAA. The following contains pertinent abridged excerpts from the Toronto Municipal Code: CHAPTER 470 – FIRE SAFETY BOXES § 470-6. CONTENTS

Every fire safety box required under this chapter shall at all times contain: (4) Where the premises has service rooms, the keys required by § 470-7, unless there is a lock box or an existing lock box for the premises.

Every person who is the owner of premises that has service rooms shall supply to the Fire Department a full working set of keys to open the service rooms and, for this purpose, shall place these keys in the fire safety box or the lock box or existing lock box required under this chapter, as the case may be.

No personother than an officer or member of the Fire Department acting in the course of his or her duties or the owner of the premises or his or her authorized agent for the purposes of updating identification information or replacing defective keys shall remove the keys from the fire safety box, lock box or existing lock box, as the case may be, or remove or change the identification tags for the keys. When updating identification information or replacing defective keys, the owner of the premises or his or her authorized agent shall act promptly so as to ensure that at all times the Fire Department has immediately available to it a full working set of keys with complete, up-to-date identification information. § 470-9. FIRE DEPARTMENT ACCESS

The Fire Department shall at all times be permitted to have access, and shall have access, to a fire safety box, lock box or existing lock box required under this chapter, including the contents prescribed in this chapter, and, for these purposes, may use any means available to obtain access to or open the fire safety box, lock box or existing lock box. We will advise GTAA members accordingly as we work on this issue.

B. Every lock box or existing lock box required under this chapter shall at all times contain the keys required by § 470-7.

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 3 3

w w w . g t a a o n l i n e . c o m

BB_Vol.10#1_August11_52.qxd:BB_Vol.9#1_August10

8/16/11

1:38 PM

Page 34

MUNICIPAL

Durham Region Bedbug Working Group he Durham Region Bedbug Working Group (BBWG) is a local committee which has been convened to develop a coordinated local action plan for bedbug issues within the Region of Durham. The plan will be developed throughout 2011, and will be submitted to Health and Social Services Committee and Regional Council for approval. The BBWG is sponsored by the Region of Durham Health Department.

T

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • to develop a draft Durham Region Bedbug action plan to address bedbug issues in collaboration with stakeholders; • to provide a forum for the sharing of current surveillance data related to bedbugs within the member’s jurisdiction; • to provide a forum for the identification of priority populations impacted by bedbugs; • to identify opportunities to streamline the development and delivery of services (i.e. resources, information, educational materials, in-services etc.) in order to assist priority populations in an efficient, effective manner. The GTAA is participating in this working group and attended the inaugural meeting on July 21st at Durham Region Headquarters in Whitby. This working group reports to the Director, Environmental Health Division who in turn provides recommendations and reports from the BBWG to Health and Social Services Committee and Regional Council. BACKGROUND Infestations of bedbugs appear to be increasing in a number of municipalities throughout Ontario, including Durham Region. Durham Regional Council endorsed the 2010-MOH24 Health & Social Services Committee report recommending the Health Department organize a meeting with key stakeholders to discuss issues related to local bedbug

3 4 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

infestations leading to the development of possible action plans. The Bedbug Stakeholder meeting, “Bedbugs and Beyond” was held on January 19, 2011 and attended by 70 participants representing various agencies. Key points that arose out of the Bedbug Stakeholder Meeting included support for collaboration and partnership among stakeholders, a need to enhance communication, education and training, improved access to credible resources; and the development of draft policies and procedures leading to the development of a draft Durham Region Bedbug Action Plan.

MUNICIPAL

HOARDING n July 5, 2011, the Ontario Fire Marshall (OFM) released their findings upon completing an investigation into the fire at 200 Wellesley Street East, Toronto.

O

OFM determined that a single discarded lit cigarette was the cause of the fire at this 30 storey, 711 unit, residential apartment building owned by Toronto Community Housing. This cigarette landed on excessive combustible material stored on the balcony of an apartment unit and was the ignition source of a large fire. OFM is now urging landlords and property managers to inform local fire departments of instances of hoarding where they believe it poses a fire safety risk. As a result of the OFM’s urging, Steve Weinrib (Park Properties) and Daryl Chong (GTAA) met with Toronto Fire Services (TFS) to discuss the creation of a process that GTAA members could follow if an incident of hoarding is discovered. During the meeting several matters were discussed including fire ignition sources, access, orders, and compliance. Photographs of units where hoarding has occurred in GTAA member apartments were shared. At the conclusion of this meeting, TFS agreed to review its current practices and work with the GTAA. There are many regulations in place and this is a multi-jurisdictional endeavour. TFS is just one of the first steps in dealing with this complex matter. The Wellesley Street apartment fire and the OFM’s investigation have brought the matter of hoarding into public attention. The GTAA is now a participant in the Toronto Hoarding Coalition. This coalition exists to ensure that individuals in the City of Toronto who engage in hoarding behaviour have access to integrated services they need in order to maintain housing stability and a quality of life that optimizes their health and safety, and that of the community. The coalition

leads the development and implementation of a coordinated plan, to address hoarding behaviour where affected individuals receive relevant services that support optimal quality of life and safe environments. We are working cooperatively with TFS and will be reaching out to the other fire services in GTA to cover our catchment’s area. While we are doing so, please remain vigilant and report any hoarding discoveries to your local fire service. Also ensure that adequate fire safety prevention, planning and evacuation procedures are in place. Hoarding in itself is well documented and easy to identify, however dealing with hoarders from a landlord’s perspective is a complex matter. The GTAA will work collectively with each municipality and the organizations within each municipality and region such as local fire, social services, and building standards. We will also work with FRPO in dealing with a variety of provincial organizations including the Ministry of Housing, Ministry of Health, and Ontario Fire Marshall. “Hoarding” is the GTAA’s topic for this year’s Property Management Expo (Nov 31-Dec 2, 2011). Our focus is “what landlords and property managers can do when they find hoarding in their apartment building”. We are inviting presenters and welcome any photographs and incidents that you have experienced in your buildings. Your method of successfully resolving any situations would be valuable as we prepare our session. Please contact the GTAA with any information you are able to share – we will keep it anonymous at your request. We appreciate your participation and will provide more details of this session and hoarding in general as they develop.

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 3 5

w w w . g t a a o n l i n e . c o m

MUNICIPAL

RENT SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM IN PEEL REGION T

he Region of Peel’s waiting list for housing is currently 15,000 households long. In July, Peel Region staff met with Perry Fryers (Chair, GTAA) and Daryl Chong (President, GTAA) to detail how the GTAA could help.

initiative alone is 500 households. What we have been hearing from our landlords is that the Region, through our subsidy programs, often take their tenants, and they are very happy to keep their existing communities with our assistance.

Peel Region recently received new annual funding. Council originally recommended use of half of the funds for housing. However, Mayor Hazel McCallion led the charge and they approved the use all $17 million per year on housing.

Our second initiative is to bring on an additional 150+ new vacant units to assist with the households who do not currently reside in buildings that are a partner with Peel or shortly to become one.

Peel Region is reaching out to GTAA members to find up to 500 units to participate in their “rent supplement” program. Peel Region and each tenant will directly pay their respective portion of the rent for the participating suite.

As the Region we value and respectfully maintain our partners assisting in the rent supplement programs, and quite frankly we can not take on such a huge undertaking without your help.

They even noted that Peel Region will assist landlords with damage to units caused by participant tenants of this program. The maximum is limited to $5,000. A process to make a claim must be followed.

The GTAA recommended to Peel Region staff that they investigate providing housing allowances as another method to achieve their goal. They will consider this and advise the GTAA accordingly.

The following was sent to the GTAA to share with our members: Once again thank you for meeting with us and we look forward to our collaborations with members of your association here in the Peel Region. Here are some of the facts that we would like you to convey to your members: The Region of Peel has given a significant amount of money to assist in rent supplements to ease the burden of the extensive wait list for applicants for rentgeared-to-income (RGI). Our centralized wait list exceeds 15,000 resulting in a 7 15 year wait list. We have undertaken a huge campaign to partner with our existing rent supplement landlords and engage new ones. One of the new initiatives that we are doing is providing RGI where a household currently resides. This is proving very beneficial to both applicants and landlords and we speak to both parties to ensure there is agreement. Our target for this

3 6 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A PARTNER IN THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY WITH THE REGION OF PEEL, PLEASE CONTACT THE GTAA OFFICE.

PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE MECHANIC AL SERVICE SOLUTIONS SINCE 1994

GOVERNMENT/CITY MUNICIPALITIES COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL HI-RISE RESIDENTIAL/ CONDOMINIUMS RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES HOSPITALS COMPUTER SERVER ROOMS

HVAC/R | HEATING | CHILLERS/BOILERS PLUMBING | CONTROL SYSTEMS PROGRAMS Custom Preventative Maintenance Packages Cost Containment / Energy Management Analysis Government Savings Incentives Mechanical Retrofit - R.O.I Certified Backflow Installer - City of Toronto Online Client Program Administration SERVICES Guaranteed Quality Workmanship Factory Trained / Fully Licensed Technicians Fully Equipped Service Vehicles Variable Service Rates Bonded & Insured

NO CHARGE MECHANICAL AUDIT TO ALL GTAA MEMBERS

SERVING THE GTA & SURROUNDING AREA | 24/7 ON C ALL EMERGENCY SERVICE

416 -749-2 20 0 | www.cynergymechanical.ca

w w w . g t a a o n l i n e . c o m

G TA A

A WEBSITE CAN PRODUCE A SIGNIFICANT ROI erforming capital improvements to an apartment building is always a worthwhile investment. Such improvements typically increase the value of the property, and make living at the property more appealing for renters. Operationally these investments also make sense, as replacing boilers, windows and appliances often equate to cost savings down the road.

P

One of the major incentives for performing capital improvements may be their short payback period, with many improvements providing expense savings that typically recover the original investment in as little as 2 – 3 years. One investment that landlords can make that fits this model is developing a new website.

Just as adding a new boiler can save on gas, a new website that focuses on lead conversions, improved communications with potential and current tenants and customer retention can create operational efficiencies, advertising expense reductions and a reduction in turnover – resulting in a great ROI. This article takes a look at some of the ways that a website can provide a worthwhile return to landlords, while improving your marketing message. ADVERTISING EXPENSE REDUCTIONS

A website can be a lot more than an online brochure for a company, it can also be a free advertising vehicle. By incorporating search engine optimization techniques into

continued on page 00 3 8 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

G TA A

the design and structure, a website can be indexed by the search engines. This means that the website may appear in the search results when renters perform an apartment search based on targeted keywords. A website that appears in the search listings is therefore more likely to garner targeted leads. The more leads a website generates, the quicker the site will pay for itself by enabling landlords to reduce other advertising expenses. Drewlo Holdings of London, Ontario, provides a great example of this point. Shortly after the launch of their redesigned corporate website, Drewlo was able to reduce their advertising expenses by a staggering 95% in their Kitchener market. This decrease was the result of increased search engine exposure and lead generation, which allowed them to maintain the same number of leads as all their previous advertising methods combined. When a company is able to save on advertising expenses as the result of improved lead generation from their website, this demonstrates that well developed websites can produce a substantial ROI. TURNOVER REDUCTIONS

Preventing turnover is one way to save money long-term. While some turnover is healthy in helping to keep market rents comparable to the industry, excessive turnover can consume time and money. Keeping a tenant from moving out of a unit is like money in your pocket. If the average turnover costs Canadian landlords an estimated $2,000, then avoiding one turnover a month could easily provide a 100% ROI for your website in the first year of operation alone. One of the reasons tenants move out of a building is poor communication. Since poor communication leads to poor

customer service, and poor customer service leads to move outs, a tenant portal can help avoid turnovers. By adding a tenant portal to a website, landlords can keep their lines of communication open with residents, allowing the residents to receive an excellent level of customer service. Many tenant portals contain frequently used forms, such as maintenance requests and elevator bookings, however the portal can go beyond that to include social event calendars, news feeds, polling, discussion boards, community marketplace and referral programs. All of these extra features benefit the residents and add to an enhancement of the lifestyle within the building. OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES : Websites can also provide cost-saving labour efficiencies by allowing administration processes to become automated. A great example of this is data syndication.

Data syndication is the packaging up of website data so that it can be distributed digitally to other sources. For example, the details data, along with ongoing updates, for an apartment building could be sent digitally to an online listing website. If an administrator changes the building data on the company website, it is automatically updated on any site that has the feed. Over time, labour efficiencies as a result of using syndication, can alleviate the need to hire additional staff. Developing an effective website can easily reduce long-term expenses in areas such as marketing and advertising. It can also add value for your current and prospective tenants in the form of improved customer service and it can lead to reduced turnover and increased lead conversions. Together, all of these benefits and savings means that a new or redesigned website may lead to a great ROI.

SUBMITTED BY CARISSA DROHAN-JENNINGS DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS LANDLORD WEB SOLUTIONS | 43 FRONT STREET SOUTH, THOROLD, ON, L2V 1W8 (905) 397-5088 | WWW.LANDLORDWEBSOLUTIONS.COM

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 3 9

w w w . g t a a o n l i n e . c o m

G TA A

Emerging Trends ver the last two decades, the number of apartment dwellers in the GTA and Vancouver have grown to over one-third of the population in both cities while in Montreal, they number over half of the population. Although many live in owner-occupied condominiums, most rent. Increases in housing prices, condominium fees, and mortgage costs have made renting an attractive alternative. In fashionable districts, individuals can pay as much as a $1000/month premium for a condominium unit versus apartment rental. This trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

O

Fifty years ago, high rise apartments were the preferred market for unmarried young people, widowed older people, or families on social assistance. Today, young, urban professionals and empty nesters, are looking at smaller homes and are interested in properties that save time on commutes and on home maintenance. High rise apartments require far less maintenance than single family homes, are typically close to jobs, shops, schools and other amenities and cost less to rent or buy than a single family home. The new high tech knowledge workers favour housing that is denser and closer to amenities. With high tech industries replacing the manufacturing economy, knowledge workers need space to discuss and invent. Locating these companies in areas with a high quality of life, and home, work, shops, and entertainment amenities close by, make it far easier to attract productive workers. The reduction from the average 2.6 children/household unit to under 1.6, increasingly favours living downtown rather than in an outlying suburb where large, two storey, four bedroom homes could accommodate separate bedrooms for each child and yard facilities for pets. Workers can spend more time at work rather than commuting and have more time to spend with their families, a greater satisfaction with their lives, and are more productive. Children have access to all the cultural and social activities available in large cities but not the outlying, suburban bedroom communities. Rather than

2011 UPCOMING EVENTS MARKYOUR CALENDARS NOW! 2011 WILL BE ANOTHER YEAR JAMMED WITH EVENTS, SEMINARS AND ACTIVITIES FOR MEMBERS. HERE ARE SOME OF THE UPCOMING EVENTS.

acquiring consumer goods and needing storage space, a growing number of young people are choosing to become involved in community, artistic, and cultural events, with their apartments located close to the action. The demand for high rise accommodation in Canada's largest cities has also led to interest in apartment living among high income earners. These individuals choose to rent rather than own, making apartment living a lifestyle choice rather than a necessity. Amenities best suited to the two-person households that will likely drive apartment demand in the near future include patios, parking stalls, en suite bedrooms, big second bedrooms and – especially as baby boomers age – accessibility features. Retired and young couples as well as two friends sharing the cost of living – all of whom tend to have a higher income – are all increasingly looking to rent apartments rather than buy homes. With the high tech knowledge worker increasingly selfemployed and mobile, these modern day nomads may only need living space for short periods of time, with only a small space required as discretionary time is invested either in work or social, cultural, and artistic events. Micro-apartments, 275-to-325 square foot temporary accommodations with lower rent, for mobile, knowledge workers, are required and will offer landlords a greater return on their square footage. Expanding rental housing requires recognition of the changing make-up of contemporary renters and the wider range of renting options and price levels needed. Responding to some of this demand may require changes to local bylaws and, increasingly, city planners, municipal politicians, and tenant organizations must become aware of the wide variety of options required. BOB PYLYPIAK ROCK ADVISORS INC./DEREK A LOBO & ASSOCIATES SPECIALISTS IN MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES

GTAA/FRPO SOCIAL – SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & DINNER – OCTOBER 27, 2011

GTAA and FRPO are co-hosting this social event at the Renaissance Hotel. This is adjacent to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre where the Canadian Apartment Investment Conference is being held earlier in the day.

We are returning to the Liberty Grand for another great evening. Get there early to meet and snack and then enjoy a delicious meal while hearing some speeches including a special guest, cheque presentation from our Charitable Foundation, and a show. We sold out last year, so please book early to ensure your space. See you there.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ALL EVENTS OR HOW YOU CAN SPONSOR AN EVENT, CONTACT SAMANTHA WILKINSON AT [email protected] OR CALL 416-385-3435 X 37 4 0 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

G TA A

FINDING THE RIGHT ENERGY SOLUTION here are many different energy solutions that can help property owners save money and energy now and in the future. Energy solutions can range from low-cost and loweffort initiatives to long-term investments that can reduce energy and water consumption, emissions, energy waste, and operating and maintenance costs.

T

The key is to find the right solution to support your financial and environmental objectives. Implementing energy initiatives can also enhance your company’s image as a “green” proponent, increase resident satisfaction by providing a more comfortable building environment, and increase the value of your building. Determining the best energy solution may also be influenced by energy incentives in the form of grants for retrofits and upgrades. Consider low-cost and low-effort initiatives that include quick and inexpensive ways to save energy and money through building tune-ups that focus on inexpensive, easy and cost-effective measures with quick paybacks (minor repairs and retrofits and energy-saving controls and measures), or preventive maintenance measures that ensure equipment are operating at their highest efficiencies at all times through regular maintenance routines and schedules where deficiencies can be identified, and repairs can be made before they become major problems. Long-term investments can include the latest technologies and green designs such as retrofit and new construction including building HVAC systems, DHW systems, building automation and control systems, solar panels, windows, and green roof/wall systems. A CHECKLIST FOR FINDING THE RIGHT ENERGY SOLUTION 0 Energy audit: As a starting point, property owners may consider having an energy audit completed for their building. An energy audit can help identify where energy dollars are being spent and provide recommendations on where to make an investment that will reduce energy costs. Energy audits may also be a requirement for qualifying for energy grants. Depending on the program, the cost (all or part) to have an energy audit completed may also be covered. 0 Financial and energy objectives: Determine what you want to achieve: whether it is lower utility bills, more energy efficient equipment to replace older equipment, etc. Consider developing short and long-term asset plans that include these objectives. 0 Financial investment: Determine how much money you are willing or able to invest, and consider the rate of return you are expecting from your investment and the payback time. 0 Building/equipment age and functionality: Consider the

age of your building or building equipment, including service and repair history, availability of parts, etc. This can help you make the decision between replacement and repair. 0 Energy incentive programs: Take advantage of energy grants, but be clear on eligibility criteria and make sure you can meet the work completion dates. Consider local/municipal energy programs or the Government of Canada’s ecoEnergy Retrofit – Homes program which has recently been renewed. Under this program, property owners are eligible to receive grants to make their properties more energy efficient. Consider the above factors in your decision about the right energy solution. Talk to an energy or building specialist about the range of energy solutions and funding programs available.

The ecoENERGY – Homes Retrofit Program is an energy assessment initiative developed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to help property owners make retrofit choices that improve the comfort and energy efficiency of their buildings. The program features energy audits and NRCan rebates for energy-efficient upgrades and improvements that reduce your building’s impact on the environment. These changes will also reduce your operating costs. The program is offered to townhouses and low-rise buildings (3 storeys or less). To be eligible, you must have an NRCan Energy Audit completed. This is an evaluation of your building that identifies where your energy dollars are being spent, makes recommendations to make your building more energy efficient and identifies any rebates for which you may qualify. Only NRCan Licensed Service Organizations can conduct these energy audits. Once you have an NRCan Energy Audit completed, you have until March 31, 2012 to complete some or all of the recommended energy-efficiency retrofit work in order to qualify for rebates. Rebates are available for retrofit work that includes heating and cooling systems, windows and doors, etc.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ENERGY SOLUTIONS, CONTACT: HSI AT 416-921-3625 OR 1-866-90-MYHSI (69474) AND ASK TO SPEAK TO A CLIENT MANAGER OR BUILDING ENERGY SPECIALIST. HSI IS A MULTI-TRADE CONTRACTOR PROVIDING CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS AND SERVICES TO MULTIRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS. HSI IS ALSO LICENSED BY NRCAN TO PROVIDE ENERGY AUDITS. WE CAN HELP YOU RECEIVE NRCAN REBATES FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENT RETROFIT WORK.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ECOENERGY – HOMES RETROFIT PROGRAM: HTTP://ECOACTION.GC.CA/HOMES A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 4 1

w w w . g t a a o n l i n e . c o m

G TA A

Annual Golf Tournament he 12th annual Greater Toronto Apartment Association Golf Tournament in support of the Charitable Foundation was held on July 11, 2011 at The Country Club in Vaughan.

T

Another sold out event! All 288 golfers enjoyed the hot day on the course. The weather forecast called for rain, but we were spared. The partially overcast conditions reduced the direct sunlight making for an exceptionally great day. Gerry Savino in particular had a spectacular day sinking an elusive hole-in-one on the 7th hole of the East course. Congratulations, Gerry! You join a very elite group of golfers. We’re glad you did it in good company at the GTAA Golf Tournament. It is expected that due to the overwhelming turnout and the tremendous sponsorship that the event will raise more than

HOLE IN ONE!!

G E R RY S AV I N O H LE # 7 E A ST CO OURSE , T CO U N T R Y C L U BH E

$50,000 to help in the important work of the Greater Toronto Apartment Association Charitable Foundation which funds groups working with the homeless and marginalized in our City. Congratulations to everyone for the most important event in the calendar year supporting the Charitable Foundation! Your participation is vital and this annual event offers the opportunity to make great corporate contacts, network with your industry peers, enjoy a delicious meal, win incredible prizes, all while raising much needed money for many very deserving organizations that receive funding from the Charitable Foundation. The Greater Toronto Apartment Association would like to acknowledge the following sponsors for their tremendous support. These sponsors are essential in making this event the success it is. We couldn’t do it without you.

SPONSORS HEADLINE ACE PAINTING ROGERS COM-PLEX SYSTEMS STRATACON PHOTOGRAPHY RENTERS GUIDE GOLF CARTS HALSALL WATER H & S BUILDING SUPPLIES BEVERAGE CARTS COINAMATIC BALLS STRATACON SCORING MEDIA CLASSIFIED CMHC DUFFLE BAGS METRO COMPACTOR COCKTAIL RECEPTION COM-PLEX SYSTEMS DAVROC & ASSOCIATES MORNING JAVA COHEN HIGHLEY ENERSTREAM

4 2 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

G TA A AUDIO VISUAL SYSTEM ORKIN/PCO CMHC YARDI PIN FLAGS R.F. PORTER DRIVING RANGE ENERSTREAM HOLES PHELPS STRATACON GOODBE GRAFITTI WILKINSON CHUTES PACE PROPERTIES DAVROC & ASSOCIATES STERLING KARAMAR MANN ENGINEERING ARIS BUILDING TECHNOLGIES WJ PROPERTIES AIRD & BERLIS MAGICAL PEST CONTROL CONTERRA RESTORATION CMHC RSM RICHTER ROMA RESTORATION ROGERS CLOSEST TO THE KEG PHELPS APARTMENT LAUNDRY GOLF WITH ATTITUDE'S GOLF WITH THE PRO ONE FOR EACH COURSE WIN A 10 DAY VACATION PACKAGE - 7 DAYS IN A VILLA IN TUSCANY - 3 NIGHTS IN ROME WITH AIR FARE SAMUEL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT HOSPITALITY TENT ENTER TO WIN A NEW TV! ROGERS CLOSEST TO THE BLUE BIN WILKINSON CHUTES LAND IN THE SQAURE FOR A WEEK IN PGA VILLAGE CERTIFIED GROUP CLUBHOUSE HOSPITALITY COURTESY OF BYNG MARKED BALL COMPETITION WILKINSON CHUTES BLANKET SPONSOR BUILDING & CONCRETE RESTORATION ASSOCIATION SHIRT SPONSOR ENBRIDGE SNACK SPONSOR RENTERS CLASSIFIED

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 4 3

The Greater Toronto Apartment Association is very proud of the hundreds of supplier and contractor members of the association. Members are encouraged to choose an association member FIRST for all of your needs.

MILLENNIUM MEMBERS APPLIANCE, LAUNDRY Coinamatic (905) 755-1946 Rod Wallace [email protected] Phelps Apt. Laundries Limited (866) 557-5599 Leah Werry [email protected] BUILDING SUPPLIES, SERVICES ACE Painting (416) 285-5388 Frank Evangelou [email protected] Arctic Painting Limited (905) 787-1222 Steve Manikis [email protected] H & S Building Supplies Ltd. (905) 738-6003 Mukesh Shanghavi [email protected] H D Supply (416) 745-3806 Basil Sealy [email protected]

Metro Compactor (416) 743-8484 Paula Duric [email protected] Waste Solutions Group (416) 744-9183 Jason Tower [email protected] CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR Byng Group, The (905) 660-5454 Frank Settino [email protected] R.F. Porter Plastering (905) 940-4131 Mark Porter [email protected] FIRE SAFETY, PARKING, SECURITY Com-Plex Systems Limited (905) 212-1474 Jack Petrie [email protected]

Intelligarde International Inc. (416) 760-0000 Ross McLeod [email protected] HVAC , ELECTRICAL, ELEVATORS, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING Certified Group of Companies (905) 602-1555 Les Woods [email protected] PROFESSIONAL, ENGINEERING, LEGAL SERVICES Halsall Associates (416) 487-5256 Naj Jivaji [email protected] Renters News (416) 784-3311 Anne Marie Breen [email protected] Yardi Systems Inc. (905) 671-0315 Peter Altobelli [email protected]

REAL ESTATE, BANKING, INSURANCE, MORTGAGES First National Financial Corporation (416) 593-2913 Peter Cook [email protected] UTILITIES, COMMUNICATIONS Energy Network Services Inc. (905) 763-2946 Krishan Bhatia [email protected] Rogers Cable Systems (416) 446-7191 Greg Stokes [email protected] Stratacon Inc. (905) 856-4001 Tom Cooper [email protected]

SUPPLIER MEMBER DIRECTORY APPLIANCE/LAUNDRY Appliance Canada (905) 660-2424 John Oulahen [email protected] Harco Leasing Co. Ltd. (905) 890-1220 Rob Jackson [email protected] Mid Northern Appliance (905) 850-5333 Michael Gnat [email protected] Sparkle Solutions Corp (647) 294-4653 Maurice Kagan [email protected] Paul Weiss [email protected]

Action Roofing / 1406817 Ontario Inc (416) 607-5528 Robert Iosue [email protected] Alpha Creation Flooring (416) 750-0973 Altin Bufasi [email protected] Amre Supply (416) 412-7278 Larry Schaufele [email protected] Anax Roofing and Overhead Doors (905) 760-0017 Mark Walters [email protected] Atlas Overhead Doors Inc (416) 623-1198 David Stein [email protected] BBQ Gourmet Food Company, The (416) 783-7257 Scott Danyshyn [email protected] BFI Canada (905) 669-0288 Bill Robinson [email protected]

BUILDING SUPPLIES / SERVICES 1-800-RID-OF-IT (416) 533-4448 Rick Crawford [email protected] 310-DUMP (416) 203-7112 Rosalie Chalmers [email protected] 4 4 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

Brookdale Recycling (416) 815-1330 Chris Asimakis [email protected] Castello Landscape Ltd. (905) 790-3462 Rick Piccirillo [email protected] D.A.J. Painting Limited (416) 346-2194 Darrell Ashby [email protected] G & G General Supply (905) 669-9556 Joe Sciammarella [email protected] Goodbye Graffitti (416) 421-9008 Brent Bowman [email protected] Hi-Rise Services (905) 474-9004 Bryan Roberts [email protected] Housing Services Inc (416) 936-4430 Emmanuel Efraimidis [email protected]

Hydronic Parts Group (416) 233-4222 Douglas Mader [email protected] In-Sink-Erator (Canada) (905) 717-6583 David Coffey [email protected] Installation Services (905) 512-0948 Bruno Azevedo [email protected] J. McBride & Sons Ltd. (416) 431-7770 John McBride [email protected] Lifesaver 101 First Aid & CPR Inc. (416) 538-5900 Chris Riedesser [email protected] Lighting Solutions (416) 493-2977 Chantal Brundage [email protected] Low Rider Sweeping Inc (416) 523-6309 Mark D’Angela [email protected]

Magical Pest Control Inc. (416) 665-7378 Mark Joseph [email protected] Marble Clinic, The (416) 452-3726 Ron Ebeyer [email protected] Masterclean Contracting & Cleaning (905) 841-8000 Mark English [email protected] Pascoal Painting & Decorating Inc. (905) 625-9153 John Pascoal [email protected] PCO Services Inc. (905) 502-9700 Lorie Davies [email protected] Rent Ready (705) 792-1116 Tammy Crisafi [email protected] Rona Inc (647) 519-6893 Michael Andrew [email protected] Scooters Catering & Event Services (905) 467-0051 Scott Anders [email protected] Smartboard Building Products Inc (905) 761-1999 Ty Azzolin [email protected] Spinnaker Recycling Corp. (647) 215-4592 Nancy Moran [email protected] Stay-Brite Building Solutions (905) 670-2600 Jennie Boodoo [email protected] Superior Pool, Spa and Leisure Limited (416) 665-0410 Howie Kirshenbaum [email protected] TCG National Inc (905) 640-7200 Ed Charlebois [email protected] Tor Can Waste Management Inc (905) 856-3900 Liborio Gurreri [email protected] Vendables Vending Co. (416) 635-8826 David Star [email protected] Wenlight Ltd. (647) 258-3284 Wendy McDougall [email protected] Wilkinson Chutes Canada (416) 746-5547 Doug King [email protected] Worry Free Janitorial Service Inc (905) 277-1162 Gabriel Sebhatu [email protected]

York Sheet Metal Limited (905) 850-3500 Vince Scaturchio [email protected] CONSTRUCTION/REPAIR/ EMERGENCY SERVICES Canam Building Envelope Specialists Inc. (905) 890-5866 Jim Bunting [email protected] Centimark Ltd (877) 673-8221 Robert Penney [email protected] Conterra Restoration Ltd. (905) 848-2992 Tony Crisostimo [email protected] Decora Building Restoration Limtied (416) 285-7788 Demetre Canavas [email protected] Dufferin Iron & Railings Inc. (416) 835-1074 Dennis Parolin Elite Roofing & Contractors Ltd. (416) 743-1908 Howard Glowinsky [email protected] Flynn Canada Ltd (416) 671-3971 Siobhan Webster [email protected] Maxim Group General Contracting Ltd (905) 303-7711 Andrew Porciello [email protected] MultiLogic Energy Solutions (416) 727-6300 Stefan Pacula [email protected] National Construction Design (905) 625-9153 John Pascoal [email protected] Paterson Evans Group Ltd. (905) 337-0199 Chris Paterson [email protected] RBG Inc. (905) 274-9887 Ron Boyko [email protected] RespondPlus Services Inc. (905) 567-7474 Melanie Gibson [email protected] Restorers Group Inc, The (905) 770-1323 Dale Parmentier [email protected] Roma Building Restoration Ltd. (905) 794-8174 Joe Battisti [email protected] T.G.A. Renovation Inc. (416) 881-2853 Alex Bakreski [email protected] Tremco-RPM Building Solutions (416) 845-8375 Sean McCallum [email protected]

FIRE SAFETY/SECURITY/ PARKING Ideal Fire Protection Inc. (416) 739-9001 Sam Naukkarinen [email protected] Lonergan Alarms Limited (905) 738-6180 Peter Lonergan [email protected] Precise Parklink Inc. (416) 398-4052 John Romanek [email protected] Mary Sheridan [email protected] Robertson Fire Equipment (416) 233-3934 Rob Patten [email protected] Securitas Canada Limited (416) 898-1944 Angela Salewsky [email protected] HVAC/MECHANICAL/PLUMBING/ELECTR ICAL/ELEVATORS Attard Plumbing Ltd (905) 850-7473 Richard Attard [email protected] Clarified Air Technologies (800) 557-9801 Frank Sultan [email protected] Comfort Plus Mechanical (416) 991-3710 Ray Deveau [email protected] Cool Team Service Corp (416) 747-1000 Ola Remme [email protected] Copperhead Mechanical Ltd (416) 421-2111 Adrian Lew [email protected] Cynergy Mechanical Ltd. (416) 749-2200 Gerald McCann [email protected] Delta Elevator (905) 828-4423 Laurie Kelly [email protected] Desco Plumbing & Heating Supply (416) 213-1555 Ted Ives [email protected] E.J.Walsh Co. (905) 625-4600 Vlad Sladek [email protected] Elcan Industries Inc. (416) 494-1544 Mike Duffy [email protected] Elmac Enterprise Inc. (416) 759-7999 Zoran Petkovski [email protected] Firenza Plumbing & Heating Limited (416) 247-7100 Tony Baldassarra [email protected]

Global Point Energy Inc (705) 791-3521 Norm Grant [email protected] J.A.M. Plumbing & Heating Ltd. (416) 398-1615 Kelli Morris [email protected] Log-One Ltd. (905) 729-4380 Hugues de Milleville [email protected] National Elevator Consulting Limited (416) 777-0660 Michael Morgenstern [email protected] Novitherm Canada Inc (416) 251-1772 Frank Snyder [email protected] Rainbow Mechanical Services Limited (905) 761-9101 Amedeo Ruscio [email protected] Schindler Elevator Corporation (416) 332-9081 Karen Kimber [email protected] Sean Caffrey Contracting Inc (905) 827-8876 Sean Caffrey [email protected] Thyssen Krupp Elevator (416) 496-6000 Robert Thackery [email protected] Trace Electric (905) 415-0300 Sharon Riberdy [email protected] Trident Elevator Company Ltd. (416) 724-2228 Allan Hopkirk [email protected] Watershed Technologies Inc (416) 538-7940 Doug Hart [email protected] PROFESSIONAL/LEGAL SERVICES/ENGINEERING Aird & Berlis (416) 865-3060 Robert Doumani [email protected] All-Rez-Solutions Inc. (416) 998-8367 Cosimo Marini [email protected] ArGil Property Tax Services (416) 630-7373 Paul Grosman [email protected] Belanger Engineering (905) 795-9997 Paul Belanger [email protected] Bentall Investment Management (416) 674-4190 Steven Gross [email protected] Bonnie Hoy & Associates (905) 854-1585 Bonnie Hoy [email protected]

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 4 5

C.H.A.M.P. Engineering Limited (416) 741-2222 Frank Lippa [email protected] CJK Enterprises (647) 345-7324 Carolyn Kerr [email protected] Cohen Highley (519) 672-9330 Joseph Hoffer [email protected] Construction Control (905) 856-5200 Galib Peermohamed [email protected] DALA (905) 319-2524 Derek Lobo [email protected] Davroc & Associates (905) 792-7792 Rocco Liscio [email protected] Debra Fine, LLB (905) 889-4860 Debra Fine [email protected] Dharsee Professional Corp (905) 940-8223 Al Dharsee [email protected] Diversified Business Communications Canada (905) 948-0470 Duane Widdis [email protected] Dube and Associates Professional Corp (519) 725-3566 George Dube [email protected] Efficiency Engineering Inc. (519) 624-9965 Scott Martin [email protected] Feigelsohn Kellar (416) 410-4181 Neil Feigelsohn [email protected] Finn Projects (416) 921-0900 Derrick Finn [email protected] Gatemaster Inc. (905) 509-9106 Ron Boston [email protected] Genivar (905) 475-7270 Peter Leong [email protected] Gottarent.com (888) 966-4966 Darren Henry [email protected] Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP (416) 862-7525 David Tang [email protected]

GRG Building Consultants (416) 495-0260 Brian Shedden [email protected] J.D. Power and Associates (416) 499-3033 Adrian Chung [email protected] JEMS Paralegal Services (416) 464-4152 Jeff Shabes [email protected] Landlord Web Solutions Inc (905) 397-5088 Jason Leonard [email protected] Living Assistance Services (416) 483-0070 David Porter [email protected] Mann Engineering Ltd (416) 201-9109 James Mann [email protected] Maritime-Ontario Environmental Inc (905) 602-4376 Monica Dutkiewicz [email protected] Metro Toronto (416) 486-4900 Ian March [email protected] MONEX Group 1 866 286 7787 Navin Kapoor [email protected] Morrison Hershfield Limited (416) 499-3110 Nancy Longueira [email protected] Neighbourhood Buzz (647) 402-3236 Steve Ballantyne [email protected] OneStop Media Group (416) 646-7867 Janice Solway [email protected] Planit Measuring (905) 271-7010 Michael Laurie [email protected] Rent Check Credit Bureau (416) 365-7060 John Dobrowolski [email protected] Rent Compass inc (888) 991-3456 Samir Al-Battran [email protected] Rent Magic Software (416) 238-7989 Yisrael Kopstick [email protected] Renters Classified (888) 532-2594 Karin Rossi [email protected]

Rentseeker.ca (416) 800-7572 Chaim Rivlin [email protected] RSM Richter LLP (416) 932-6243 Alex Levin [email protected] Sheryl Erenberg & Associates (416) 256-5868 Sheryl Erenberg [email protected] SPAR Property Consultants Ltd. (416) 922-7897 Heather Waese [email protected] SPG Engineering Group, The (905) 338-6662 Pat Silano [email protected] Stringer Brisbin Humphrey (416) 862-1616 Landon Young [email protected] Taeus Group Inc (416) 577-1233 Kim Reid [email protected] TBM Productions Inc (289) 214-1960 Ian Goodwin [email protected] Telemeasure Canada Inc (416) 875-8904 Vlad S. Platek [email protected] Toronto Star (416) 869-4210 Brian Cordingley [email protected] Trow Associates Inc. (519) 745-4676 Rod Smith [email protected] Viewit.ca (416) 461-6289 Brian Gumbley [email protected] REAL ESTATE/MORTGAGES/ BANKING/INSURNACE Brokers Trust Insurance Group Inc. (905) 695-5159 Joseph Carnevale [email protected] CB Richard Ellis Limited (416) 362-2244 David Montressor [email protected] CMHC (416) 250-2731 Paula Gasparro [email protected] KRG Insurance Brokers (416) 631-3419 Paul Martin [email protected]

Penmor Mortgage Capital Corp (416) 646-1005 Chris Sharp [email protected] Scotiabank (416) 933-1816 Joseph McGrath [email protected] Sinclair-Cockburn Financial Group (905) 948-0700 Eamonn Kinsella [email protected] TD Canada Trust (416) 944-6574 David Gale [email protected] Tenant Payment Systems Inc (604) 687-3520 Tom Lennox [email protected] UTILITIES/COMMUNICATIONS Blackstone Energy (416) 996-0776 Pete Stratakos [email protected] Canadian Rite Rate Energy (416) 972-1400 Steven Muzzo [email protected] Carma Industries (888) 298-3336 Shannon Williams [email protected] Cogeco Cable Canada LP (800) 565-0273 Elaine Shannon [email protected] Enbridge Electric Connections (905) 889-1501 Keith McAllister [email protected] Enbridge Gas Distribution (416) 753-4663 Rachit Bhambri [email protected] EnerStream Agency Services (905) 813-9333 Brian Baker [email protected] Multi-Tech Contracting 2000 Inc (416) 990-4412 Carlos Lopes [email protected] Plus Group of Companies (416) 887-5349 Christopher Burt [email protected] Priority Billing Solutions Inc. (905) 837-8548 Andrew Beacom [email protected] Toronto Hydro - Electric System (416) 542-3100 Victor Darosa [email protected]

PLEASE CONTACT SAMANTHA WILKINSON AT [email protected] FOR ANY CHANGES OR ADJUSTMENTS TO YOUR LISTING IN THIS DIRECTORY 4 6 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

DOING OUR BEST FOR YOU – DELIVERING OUR BEST TO YOUR TENANTS As the industry leader in residential properties, Rogers understands what you’re looking for in a communications and entertainment provider. That’s why with us, you’ll get personalized support through a dedicated Account Executive. They’ll ensure your tenants are completely satisfied with our innovative Cable TV, Internet and Home Phone services. And you’ll rest assured knowing you’ve partnered with experts you can really count on. Call a Rogers Account Executive today at 1 877 331 9202 or visit rogers.com/cma for more information.

™Trademarks of or used under license from Rogers Communications Inc. or an affiliate. © 2011 Rogers Communications

The choice is as clear as the water. Experience the next generation of pool care with Superior’s first rate swimming pool and whirlpool services.

Multi-Residential Energy Conservation Experts

THINK GREEN

Daily Weekly Maintenance Lifeguard & Recreation Management Salt Water Conversions Whirlpool Anti-Entrapment Installation Monthly Whirlpool Safety Audits Design & Consultation Construction & Renovation Whirlpool Installations Chemicals, Equipment & Safety Supplies Fitness Equipment Sales Repairs & Maintenance Service

Get it all with just one call! The complete pool service.

T. 416-665-0410 TF. 1-800-881-1625 F. 416-665-6877 24 Martin Ross Avenue Toronto, Ontario M3J 2K8

THINK MANN ENGINEERING We are Canada’s leading energy management company offering comprehensive energy retrofits for all aspects of your commercial or multi-residential building. We are consulting engineers with in-house construction and automation divisions.

Call 416.201.9109 for a free energy audit and expert advice from a professional engineer.

[email protected] www.superiorpool.com 4 8 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

www.mannengineering.com

GTAA FLOORING SPECIALISTS Suite Turnovers

Corridor

Office Renovations

Carpet

Carpet

Carpet Tiles

Vinyl

Tiles

Commercial Carpet

KEEPING YOU COVERED! Exclusive Pricing For All GTAA Members

Call Melanie with any of your Flooring Projects

(905) 567-7474

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 V O L .1 0 N O .1 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S 4 9

Experts E xperts in in vvertical ertical tr transportation ransportaatiion

Modernization n Design Specificationss P roject Management Mana agement Project Studies Feasibility Stu udies Maintenance e Audits New Construc ction Construction

80 0 years

elevatorconsultant.com e l e v a t o rc o n s u l t a n t . c o m

416 4 1 6 777.0660 777.0660

iindustry n d u s t r y eexperience xperience

A National Leader in Multi-Housing Laundry Solutions SmartCard or Coin Operated | Coast to Coast

PHELPS helps building owners generate higher revenue, reduce energy consumption and downtime, successfully deter vandalism and provide residents with a superior amenity.

w w w. p h e l p s l a u n d r y. c a

Call 905-693-8666 or 1-866-557-5599 5 0 B U I L D I N G B L O C K S V O L .1 0 N O .1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

|

Email [email protected]

Thanks CLASSIFIED.CA Renters Classified would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our advertisers for your generous support throughout our first year. We have brought a whole new dimension to rental marketing through our unique distribution network, fullcolour newsprint, bi-weekly issues and measurable results. The combination of online, print and signage has quickly provided consumer awareness bringing immediate renters to our advertisers. But we couldn’t have done it without our valued clients. We look forward to many more years of assisting the rental property community.

1-866-532-2616