Regulations & Codes
Deconstructing Ontario’s Fair Housing Plan
In an effort to help increase the province’s supply of affordable housing and protect renters from what many are calling exorbitant rent hikes, the Ontario Government has announced a comprehensive package of measures in its just-released Fair Housing Plan.
MPP proposes time limits for elevator repairs
Han Dong, the Liberal MPP for Trinity-Spadina, is proposing to set time limits for elevator repairs with a private member's bill.
Push for revised rent control in Ontario
The controversial topic of rent control in Ontario is back in the news after two Toronto City councillors voiced concerns about what they are calling “unethical” rent hikes across the GTA
Fire safety steps for high-rise building owners
A recent fire in a Toronto high-rise apartment building has put the spotlight back on fire safety after numerous residents had to be rescued by Toronto Fire Services. Though no injuries were reported, the incident is a reminder that Fire Safety Plans are critical—especially when building fire alarm systems are rendered inoperative due to repair and maintenance projects.
Top 14 stories to watch in 2017
Last year, the commercial real estate industry faced a number of diverse challenges and successes that are expected to develop throughout 2017. Here, REMI’s award-winning
Stricter rules ahead for GTA apartment owners
Toronto city council has approved a plan for a new apartment licensing program that will impose stricter rules for building owners, but could inadvertently lead to higher rents for tenants.
Tragedy accentuates fire safety in buildings
Following the recent tragic fire in Oakland, California, fire safety and legal experts are reflecting on the confluence of deliberate and inadvertent omissions that underlie most calamities.
Ontario opens way to inclusionary zoning
New inclusionary zoning legislation in Ontario could soon give municipalities the power to require that builders include affordable housing units in all new residential developments. If passed, the Promoting Affordable Housing Act, 2016, will be the first of its kind in Canada and could take effect in early 2017, if not sooner.
Does the rental industry have an image issue?
A recent survey conducted by FRPO sheds light on the public's ambivalent attitude toward the rental housing industry and the Ontario Government's policies shaping it
Keeping up with residential tenancy laws
As the rental industry grows and changes, so do residential tenancy laws. Joe Hoffer, Partner Cohen Highley LLP, highlights three specific areas of concern.
An affordable remedy to a national crisis
Affordable housing shortages for working Canadians have hit critical levels in most major cities across Canada. For years, grim statistics of growing waitlists far outpacing the number of affordable rental units under construction have made headlines nation-wide. Despite the alarming numbers, not much in the way of viable, sustainable solutions have been presented. That is, until now...
Reinvesting in Toronto’s aging rental towers
The Tower Renewal Project is a program to drive broad environmental, social, economic, and cultural change by improving Toronto's concrete apartment towers and the neighbourhoods that surround them. Home to a million people across the GTA, now is the time to reinvest in these vertical communities that have huge potential.
Addressing Ontario’s affordable housing crisis
Ontario’s affordable housing wait list continued to swell in 2014 with more than 3,600 applying for rent-geared-to-income (RGI) accommodations.
Toronto eyes development permit system
Toronto is taking steps towards implementing a development permit system to make the planning application process more efficient and predictable.
Ontario revisiting wood-frame building rules
Ontario is looking at permitting wood-frame building construction up to six-storeys tall in its proposed building code changes.
Planning for urban growth in Ontario
To manage urban growth in Ontario, the provincial government is seeking input the 10-year review of its Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
Improving green roof performance
As green roofs become more popular, experts say that owners and managers should start improving green roof performance by focusing on diversity.