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Fixations, door closers, NIPORA, December 24, 2004 |
Please, advise neighbors of the contents of this message, but
NEVER POST IT ON THE LANDLORD'S PROPERTY
(this includes lobbies, elevators, laundry rooms, and bulletin boards)!
Given the flurry of requests for information concerning several issues,
especially the latest offer from "Metropolitan Structures" (MSI) to
settle 2003 rent increases, and the upcoming 2005 renewals, the following
items should be of interest to tenants:
As NITA predicted, MSI is trying to close as many pending applications
as possible for those leases that renewed between April 2, 2003 and April
1,2004 (known as "Fixation 2003"). MSI is currently offering an increase
of 1.9%, instead of the 5.0% originally asked for. However, this latest
offer is still almost three times NITA's estimate of 0.7% for the 90% of MSI
tenants whose units are gas-heated! The remaining 10% could accept the
current offer, given that NITA estimates that those increases will be
fixed at approximately 1.5%.
NITA has reminded MSI of their promise to supply us with the financial
data required for the Fixation 2003 calculation. With that data in hand,
NITA could confirm or correct its estimates, avoiding the need to have the
increases fixed by the R�gie du logement (Rental Board). To this date,
MSI has not supplied NITA with the requested information.
NITA had hoped that the Fixation 2003 rent-fixing hearing would have
been set for the Fall of 2004. We have now learned that the R�gie has fixed the
hearings for Tuesday, February 22, 2005, at 9:00 a.m., at the "Motel
Universel", across the street from the R�gie's offices in the Olympic
Village. All those whose increase were not settled "out-of-court" will
be heard at the same time; NITA believes that there are still several
hundred tenants in this situation.
More information can be obtained directly from NITA, and will be posted
on the Association's website. NITA is currently working on an interactive
spreadsheet that will allow tenants to see the cumulative effect of
rent increases over several years, specifically on their individual
dwellings. Be sure to visit regularly.
It would be wrong to believe that the R�gie du logement has already
fixed certain rent increases for leases that renewed between April 2, 2004
and April 1, 2005, as has been rumoured. To the contrary, those tenants
will all be called simultaneously to the R�gie, but not before the Fixation 2003
cases have been heard.
NITA continues to suggest to gas-heated tenants to *ACCEPT* MSI's offer
of 3%, as it is possible that the R�gie du logement will set gas-heated
Fixation 2004 increases at around 3.4%. For the remaining (non gas-heated)
tenants, increases should hover around 1.7%.
If your lease is up for renewal between April 2, 2005 and April 1, 2006
(e.g. July 1, 2005), you should expect that MSI will be asking for a 3% rent
increase.
Traditionally, the R�gie du logement publishes its indices near the end
of January. NITA will then use these figures to estimate increases for
"Fixation 2005". These estimates will be sent to you via e-mail, and
will be posted on NITA's website. NITA workshops will take place, one in
English, and one in French.
Some tenants have complained about automatic door-closers that MSI have
started installing on appartment doors, and certain tenants have
refused such installations.
NITA has not found any legislation obliging the installation of these
devices on individual apartment doors, given the date of construction of MSI's
buildings. However, these devices are mandatory on more recent
buildings, and are fire-safety related. For this reason, NITA did not formaly
oppose the installation of these devices.
Please note that NITA's activities will be curtailed between December
25th, 2004 and January 10th, 2005. We will be monitoring your e-mails, but
response times may be longer than usual during this period.
Season's Greetings from the Board of Directors and volunteers of your
Association!
