Many students and residents may have questions regarding their responsibility, rights, and options as a tenant living in the York Community. Some of the common questions are illustrated below:

1. What happens if my landlord is forcing me off the residence?

   1. The landlord may only evict the tenant if it falls under the following reasons:

      1. They are deemed a threat to the safety of other tenants residing in the house;

      2. Have not paid rent and have been given various notices;

      3. Have inflicted damage upon the residence and have not taken responsibility for fixtures;

      4. Illegal distribution and use of drugs from the residence;

      5. Smoking Indoors;

      6. Repeated noise complaints;

      7. Illegal subletting
         

These are the primary reasons a landlord may have by legally evicting the tenant. In the Village at York, there have been many precarious events regarding tenancy rights in residences. It is important to remember your rights and responsibilities under the Landlord and Tenant Act to avoid being taken advantage of. Additionally, many landlords forge their own contract with illegal and unfair tenancy rules. It is important to thoroughly read the lease description prior to signing onto a fraudulent lease contract.

1. 2. How do I know the residence is right for me?

      1. Prior to signing a contract, it is important to look over all aspects of the house, for health, safety, and security reasons:

         1. Make sure the house and room has an updated fire alarm system.

         2. Analyze the house condition, i.e. quality of kitchen, working furnace, no bug infestations, adequate inside structure.

         3. Consult existing residents of the quality of life and condition of the house.

         4. Consulting legal council at the university on lease agreements.

         5. Make sure there are an appropriate amount of people in the house, there are often overcrowded houses in the Village

1. 3. If I encounter a problem with the residence, who should I approach?

      1. The first thing to do is consult the landlord regarding the problem. Landlords are responsible for providing adequate living standards for the residence, this problem can be in the terms of health, safety, and security. However, if the landlord refuses to address and/or fix the problem, you may have to contact City of Toronto Housing (which may be time consuming and precarious). Our organization focuses on harnessing the community's voice and to educate tenants on their rights as tenants under the Landlord and Tenant act and to act against unfair/illegal activities.
         

      2. YCHA does its best to make ourselves available for help and support regarding any problems you may encounter with your housing placement. We share insight on how to deal with the issue whether it is a direct dispute with your landlord, condition of the housing, or dealing with precarious events during your tenancy. We share our recommendations and steps to take based on previous experiences we have encountered during our past tenancy in the Village at York. As a student paying tuition at an educational institution we want to ensure that you have a memorable and accommodating experience here at the Village. We're a community dedicated to making the best out of your housing experience.
         

      3. If you are a student at York University or Seneca College, you are eligible to receive legal aid through Osgoode Law Hall. Consulting the legal council can help you deal with certain problems, however, it may also be unreliable in many instances. Illegal housing activities are occurring throughout the village and York University area, therefore you may not be able to receive the recommended actions in time before the issue becomes grave.
         

      4. Lobbying the City of Toronto Housing is also a manner of dealing with your housing issue. This process may take more time but is a great method at addressing the issue with your residence. As a collective community we encourage to advocate for change to The City of Toronto regarding better housing accommodations for student housing for current and future students.

Want to Add a Question/Answer?