Mitzie Hunter issues action plan on condo rental renewal

Energy efficiency retrofits, improved tenant comfort, protection against large rent increases

Toronto – Mitzie Hunter, mayoral candidate, is issuing an action plan to speed up renewal and repairs of condo rentals to help make them more energy efficient, more comfortable for tenants, and to help protect tenants from large rent increases.

Under Hunter’s plan, a new program will be created called “Taking Action on Condo Rental Renewal” (TACRR) to provide grants and financing to complete energy efficiency retrofits that in many cases can also improve tenant comfort.

To extend the reach of rent control, this program will be restricted to non-corporate landlords who abide by provincial rent-control guidelines. 

“I am taking action to help speed renewal and repairs in condo rentals,” says Hunter. “Helping make condo rentals energy efficient will assist our climate action goals and in many cases make the condo rentals more comfortable for tenants. I will also ensure only non-corporate landlord who abide by rent control can take part.” 

Today, 18 per cent of rental accommodations in Toronto are condominium apartments, many in need of repair or modern energy efficient updates.

“Unlike some candidates, I recognize that renters across our city live in all types of buildings, not just co-ops or subsidized housing,” says Hunter.

“I believe help for renters should not be determined by who owns the unit you live in. I care about all renters, and the City can, and should, offer help to the condo-based rental market, which for the past decade has been the fastest-growing segment of the total rental market.”

Hunter’s “Taking Action on Condo Rental Renewal” (TACRR) Program will have an annual budget of $15 million. It is included in her fully-costed and funded plan to Fix the Six for a Toronto that works for everyone.

Hunter’s new program is modelled on the City’s existing “Taking Action on Tower Renewal” (TATR) program which she has already committed to improving with a $35-million boost in annual funding as well as broader eligibility to cover more basic repairs.

“As mayor, I will accelerate repairs in condo rentals so they can become more energy efficient and help us achieve our climate goals while improving the quality of life for tenants as well as help protect them from large rent increases,” Hunter said.

“I want to lead Toronto’s revival. I have a comprehensive, fully-costed plan to do exactly that.”

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Contact:

Charmain Emerson charmain@culturedcommunications.ca

Notes for remarks by Mitzie Hunter announcing her plan to repair rental accommodations in condominium buildings, June 2, 2023:

• Since the beginning of this campaign, I have systematically laid out my priorities.

• More affordable housing, more quickly.

• Unlocking public lands for affordable housing. 

• Below-market price housing for renters and buyers. 

• Investing more in city services… so the city works better.

• More potholes filled, better snow clearance…

• Enhanced and improved neighbourhood parks.

• My practical and pragmatic game plan to help Toronto close the $4.3-billion hole in its operating budget between now and 2025.

• Today… I am issuing my action plan to speed up renewal and repairs of condo rentals… to help make them more energy efficient… more comfortable for tenants… and to help protect tenants from large rent increases. 

• In Toronto… 18 per cent of rental accommodations are condominium apartments… many in need of repair or modern energy efficient updates.

• Under my action plan… a new program will be created called “Taking Action on Condo Rental Renewal”.

• The purpose is to provide grants… and financing… to complete energy efficiency retrofits… 

• These retrofits in many cases can also improve tenant’s comfort and quality of life.

• To extend the reach of rent control… this program will be restricted to non-corporate landlords… 

• Those who agree to abide by provincial rent-control guidelines. 

• I am taking action to help speed renewal and repairs in condo rentals.

• Helping make condo rentals energy efficient will assist our climate action goals… 

• And in many cases the upgrades will make the condo rentals more comfortable for tenants.

• Plus… I will ensure only non-corporate landlord who abide by rent control can take part.

• As mayor, my action plan will accelerate repairs in condo rentals.

• My action plan will make condo rentals more energy efficient. 

• It will help us achieve our climate goals. 

• It will in many cases make tenants more comfortable… while improving their quality of life. 

• And… my program is designed to help protect tenants from large rent increases. 

• Unlike some candidates… I recognize that renters across our city live in all types of buildings… not just co-ops or subsidized housing. 

• I believe help for renters should not be determined by who owns the unit you live in.

• I care about all renters… 

• And the City can… and should… offer help to the condo-based rental market…

• Which for the past decade… is the fastest-growing segment of the total rental market.

• My action plan on condo rental renewal… is just one part of my fully-costed… and fully-funded platform… which includes a balanced budget plan.

• As we saw yet again in the debate Wednesday night, while other candidates refuse to be clear on their property tax proposals…

• I am crystal clear.

• I have put forward my Three-and-Six plan. 

• Under my plan… 40 per cent of homeowners… 

• All those with a household incomes under $80,000… 

• Will have a below-inflation increase, or $108 a year… 

• That’s a three-per-cent increase.

• More than 50 per cent of seniors will be able to eliminate or defer their property tax increase…

• And have no additional out of pocket costs at all.

• Small businesses and creative activities will also pay nothing more in new property tax.

• And higher income homeowners…

• Who can afford to pay a little more will be asked to pay… 

• Six per cent more… that’s $216 a year. 

• It’s a new… different… affordable… 

• And progressive way to fairly adjust property tax increases.

• A plan that does not depend upon the dishonest wishful thinking that some candidates continue to claim… 

• That other levels of government…  

• Will provide a Toronto-only bailout.

• That has never happened before… 

• And it isn’t going to happen now. 

• We need to get going ourselves…

• And we can.

• I want to Fix the Six.

• So we can then invest…

• And build the Toronto we want.
• I want to lead Toronto’s revival. I have a comprehensive, fully-costed plan to do exactly that.

• I want to Fix the Six.

• Join me.