Wednesday 30 December 2015

Ontario's 2016 Rent Increase Guideline is 2.0%

Ontario has set the guideline on rent increases for 2016 at 2%. The guideline amount for 2015 was 1.6%.
The rent increase guideline of 2% for 2016 is the maximum a landlord can automatically raise a tenant's rent without the approval of the Landlord and Tenant Board. It is applicable to rent increases between January 1 and December 31, 2016.  
The guideline is based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation calculated monthly by Statistics Canada that reflects economic conditions over the past year.
Generally, a landlord can only increase the rent by a guideline amount set annually by the Ontario government.
However, under certain circumstances, a landlord can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for a rent increase that is above the guideline amount. The landlord can apply for the following reasons:
o   The landlord’s costs for municipal taxes and/or utilities (heat, water and electricity combined) have increased by an “extraordinary” amount.
o   The landlord did extraordinary or significant renovations, repairs, replacements or new additions to the building or to individual units. This is called “capital expenditures.”
o   The landlord’s costs for security services increased, or the landlord began providing security services for the first time.

Capreit obtained above-guideline increases for 6, 7 & 8 Park Vista in 2015. The amounts granted were lower than what Capreit was seeking thanks to efforts by the Park Vista Tenants' Association, which hired a paralegal to challenge the increases. 
Capreit has applied for an above-guideline increase for 97 rental units at 2 Park Vista. A hearing date has not yet been set. 
For more information about above-guideline rent increases from Community Legal Education Ontario, visit the link below:


Tuesday 29 December 2015

Capreit New Year Holiday Hours for Park Vista


The Capreit regional office at 8 Park Vista will be open as follows:

Thursday, December 31: 9 a.m. - noon
Friday, January 1: CLOSED
    Saturday, January 2: 9 a.m. - noon

Do not hesitate to drop off work orders or rental payments at
2, 6, 7 & 8 Park Vista site office.

Staff retrieve mail from all offices daily.
As always, staff are on call for emergencies 24/7/365 – call 416-285-8828.


Monday 21 December 2015

Festive Fundraiser Supports Local Women's Shelter

Amazing Grace St. John and the tenants of 2 Park Vista gathered together December 6 to collect gifts and raise money to help a local women’s shelter.

The event raised $260 for the shelter and six large bags of toys were donated, along with a box of assorted dolls lovingly hand-crafted by Carole Ward.

Tenants were treated to baked goodies, holiday music and lively conversation. Guests even got to greet the season’s star icon, Santa, a role performed with jolly flair by Roy Delavigne, who has more than 15 years of experience as a mall Santa. Roy took time out from his busy holiday schedule to support a worthy cause.

When the event ended, Santa’s helpers Lexi, Max, Zoe and Gabby made sure the gifts were safely delivered to YWCA shelter manager Carla Netro for needy families to enjoy this holiday season. 

Grace St. John with Santa Roy Delavigne

Santa with tiniest guest

Shelter manager Carla Netro with Santa's helpers

Carole Ward's amazing handiwork

More crafty creations from Carole Ward
Carole Ward's whimsical doll

More hand-crafted companions courtesy of Carole Ward

Monday 7 December 2015

Toy Mountain Toy Drive a HUGE success!

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.
— Dr. Seuss
Christmas does mean so much more than "packages, boxes or bags", but for a child to receive a gift on Christmas morning, to watch the light fill their little faces as they peel back the wrapping - this is the greatest gift of all! 

The PVTA is so thankful for all the wonderful gifts that were donated by generous tenants at our toy drive. We have already taken the toys to a drop-off location for Toy Mountain where they will be distributed throughout the city. We had over 65 toys donated and over two dozen tenants came out to support the drive (and also to munch on some delicious home baking and fresh brewed coffee). In addition to the toys, we also raised $25 to be donated to Toy Mountain. 

Thanks to Colleen LeBlanc, Maryanna Lewyckyj, and Chelsea Berry for making this event a success. 

All the toys under the tree!