Introduction:
- Ongoing conflict between Kitchener landlord and tenants escalates with a steep increase in underground parking fees.
- Residents at 250 Frederick Street received eviction notices earlier, now faced with $250 monthly charge for parking.
Key Points:
- Price Hike Shock:
- Property management sends letters to tenants announcing a new $250 per month fee for using the underground parking garage.
- Management claims vehicles not registered with the office face tagging and towing.
- Tenant Response:
- Tenants view the move as an intimidation tactic rather than a legitimate fee adjustment.
- Before property purchase, parking fees were typically around $50 per month, included in rent.
- Legal Concerns:
- Tenants like Tessa D’Achille question the legality of the sudden fee increase, citing the Residential Tenancies Act Ontario (RTA).
- Waterloo Region Community Legal Services advises tenants to seek legal review of questionable contracts from landlords.
- Legal Expertise:
- Pataida Mzitze, a paralegal with WRCLS, highlights tenants’ rights to legal advice and review of documents before signing.
- Mzitze emphasizes the importance of understanding laws governing rental agreements and fee increases.
- Tenant Unity:
- Facing evictions earlier, tenants formed a union to collectively address issues with the property owner.
- Norm Pettifer, another tenant, underscores the strength of unity in rejecting unfair practices.
- Property Management Silence:
- Despite attempts to gather comments, the property’s superintendent declined to provide a statement.
- Contact information for the building owner remains undisclosed.
Conclusion:
- The situation highlights the ongoing struggle between landlords and tenants over fair housing practices and fee adjustments.
- Tenants remain vigilant, seeking legal recourse and unity to challenge what they perceive as unjust actions by the property management.
