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A THE HERALD Wednesday December ID Another Step Assured Housing Ontakjo What Ontarids new Rent Review System means to tenants and landlords The Ontario Government has passed the Residential Rent Regulation Act creating a new system of rent review This legislation is based upon an agreement reached by a special committee of tenants and landlords on how to improve the rent review system in Ontario The basis of the new legislation to increase protection for tenants and to encourage the of new rental housing The major features of the Residential Rent Regulation Act are The extension of rent review to cover all private rental unils in Ontario The creation of a streamlined rent review process designed to be accessible quicker and ensure consistency The establishment of a flexible Rent Review Guideline adjusted annually to reflect changes in inflation The creation of an Onuiriowide Rent Registry to record the maximum legal rent for every rental unit in the province A Residential Rental Standards Board to ensure the proper maintenance of all rental properties in Ontario In summary the new Act provides full protection for tenants while at the same time encouraging the construction of new rental housing Streamlined simplified rent review process The new rent review process is designed to be fast friendly and efficient Now disputes over rent increases can be settled within a 90day period Through a network of 21 local Rent Review Offices tenants and landlords will have the opportunity to work together with a Rent Administrator This Administrator may arrange meetings between tenants and landlords help them in obtaining and completing any necessary docu ments and generally be available to provide free assistance on any aspect of the rent review As well each Rent Review Office will be providing an ongoing program of seminars and workshops These will be designed specifically to educate tenants and landlords all parts of Rent Review Extension of Rent Review In the past only those rental units built prior to were protected by rent review Hie new system All private rental units in Ontario arc- protected by rent review whether they were built prior to or afterwards Rent Review Guideline Under the previous system a fixed guide line could not always reflect changing economic conditions new system A flexible Rent Review Guideline is adjusted annually and is based on the change in cost of maintaining a typical wellrun rental building The Guideline calculates the average change in costs over the preceding threeyear period protecting tenants from the effects of sudden jumps in inflation NOTE- The Guideline is in effect retroactive from July 1st 1985 to Dec The Guideline for will be announced within daya The filing of an application for rent review at a local office will set in motion a simplified process The Rent Review Administrator using clear and concise rules will oversee the process from beginning to end A most significant streamlining aspect for both parties is that landlords will be allowed a fixed amount for operating costs The result the elimination of lengthy disputes between tenants and landlords over operating costs ensure easy access to Administrators all Rent Review Offices in the province will be open at hours convenient to the public The Rent Registry Under the previous it was not easy for a tenant to check whether the rent Tor their unit was legal lite new system A computerized Rent Registry will record the maximum legal rent which can be charged for every rental unit in the province This information will be updated annually according to rent increases set by the new guideline Landlords of buildings containing more than six rental units will file first with landlords of small buildings filing later Those landlords required to register first will file with the Registry the rent that was actually charged for every rental unit on July 1985 Most landlords will only be required to register one time Information from the Registry comput ers will be free of charge and available to everyone by tollfree telephone Rent Review Appeals If a tenant or a land lord is dissatisfied with the decision reached by the Administrator an appeal can be made to a new Rent Review Hearings Board No fees will be charged for appeals Maintenance Standards In past rents could still go up even though building maintenance went down Him new system A Residential Rental Standards Board will establish fair standards to ensure proper maintenance of rental units throughout Ontario Failure to meet these standards muy result in either suspension or forfeiture of rent increases Rill information available The new Residential Rent Regulation Act makes major changes in the law affecting both tenants and landlords across the province The implementation of these measures will begin immediately and will be completed by February If you would like more detailed informa tion please complete and return this coupon MINISTRY OF HOUSING RENT REVIEW DIVISION FLOOR BAY STREET TORONTO ONTARIO Send me a copy of the guide to Ontarios new Rent Review System Ministry of Housing Ontario Hon Alvin Curling Minister Send today for your guide to Ontarios new Rent Review System