After you Move in (continued)
Rent Increases |
next section | top |
Your landlord can increase your rent once every twelve months. The province sets the maximum for rent increases each year. In 2008, the maximum rent increase is 1.4%.
Your landlord must give you at least 90 days written notice of the rent increase.
Your landlord can apply to the Landlord Tenant Board for a rent increase above the maximum guideline amount if his or her costs for heat, hydro, water or property taxes have increased more than the average. Your landlord may also apply for a greater increase if he or she can show increased building security costs, or major work on the building. Remember, the landlord must apply to the Board for an increase above the guideline.
Contact the Peterborough Community Legal Centre for advice if your landlord applies to the Board for a higher increase, or asks you to agree to an increase in exchange for new services or items.
The rental increase limit does not apply when tenants change. When a tenant moves out, the landlord can increase the rent by any amount before the next tenant moves in.
Utilities: Heat & Hydro |
next section | top |
If your heat is included in your rent, your landlord must make sure you have enough heat in the winter. The City of Peterborough's by-law states that the temperature in your unit must be at least 70°F or 21°C between September 15 and May 31. If your unit is below this temperature and your landlord doesn't fix the problem, you can call the Peterborough County City Health Unit to report the problem and request an inspection.
If you pay for your own heat, but there is something wrong with the furnace and your landlord will not fix it, you may also contact the Peterborough County City Health Unit to request an inspection.
People living in Peterborough city or in the Lakefield and Norwood areas get their electricity from Peterborough Utility Services. People living in other areas of the County get their hydro from Hydro One. Enbridge supplies natural gas in the city and some areas of the county.
You can also choose to sign a contract with a marketer or retailer for your hydro or natural gas. Before making any decisions, it is a good idea to look at your bill and figure out what you are paying now. On your hydro or gas bill, under current charges, you will see a breakdown of what you are paying for. If you sign with a marketer, the cost of the electricity or gas you use will change to the rate the marketer is offering. You will still pay the same charges for Delivery, Regulatory Charges, and Debt Retirement Charges for hydro. You will still pay the same for the Monthly Customer Charge and Gas Delivery Charge for gas.
To figure out how much your bill will be with a marketer, look at how much electricity or gas you are using (kwh), and multiply it by the price per kwh the marketer is offering. Then add the other charges (Delivery, Regulatory and Debt Retirement Charges for hydro, and Monthly Customer Charge and Gas Delivery Charge for gas). Your costs may also be affected by various rebates given by the government. Before signing, find out from the marketer exactly how much your bills will be, and find out how prices for hydro or gas have increased or decreased over time.
You can phone around for price comparisons, or go to a site like energyshop.com.
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has created some consumer protection rules for energy marketers. You can find Factsheets about these rules on the OEB website. Peterborough Utilities Services also has some information on their website.
Contact the Peterborough Community Legal Centre, or go to CLEO or ACTO for more information on tenants’ rights and responsibilities.
Return back to After You Move In
Continue on to If You Run Into Trouble