Tenant-Landlord

Spring Hope Food Drive April 28, 2015 To join, call 613-235-9792

NEWSLETTER March 25, 2015

New City Council - 2015 to 2018

As landlords will know, Mayor Jim Watson was returned as Inside this issue: Page Mayor of the City of Ottawa in the 2014 municipal election. Housing Answer 2015 2 Besides Mayor Watson, 15 city councillors were re-elected. - a returning Councillor 2 Rent Increase Guideline 2015 3 Eight new councillors joined City Council. EOLO has met Property Tax Assessment Appeal Deadline 3 with all the new councillors. Information about them is Spring 2015 EOLO Networking Event Sponsors 3 found beginning at p. 4. New City Councillors for 2015 to 2018 4 FRPO RTA refresher - April 15 and 16 6 Over the past term of City Council, a number of positive EOLO 2014 Associate Member Directory 7 things took place for landlords. In large part, landlords can thank Jim Watson’s leadership for Council’s actions. We property increased 52% which was substantially more than expect that our positive relationship with Mayor Watson the increase in the assessments of residential properties --- and City Council will continue. mostly single family homes (26%). Had City Council not taken For municipal property taxation, properties are assessed by action, that would have resulted in major increases in the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). In property taxes on multi-residential buildings across the City. the assessment of three years ago (for 2013, 2014, 2015 However, under Jim Watson’s leadership, City Council and 2016 taxation), the assessment of multi-residential (Continued on page 7)

CFAA Rental Housing Conference 2015 coming soon

This year the CFAA Rental Housing Conference returns to been worth the price of admission. Toronto on June 10, 11 and 12, 2015. The conference Major rental housing executives will give their take on the education program will consist of more than 30 sessions risks and opportunities ahead. Independent rental owners addressing the following topic streams: of mid-size portfolios will discuss their concerns.  Rental housing investment As at previous CFAA Rental Housing Conferences, issues delegates will hear from outside experts, such as lawyers,  Employee management issues consultants, engineers and service providers, as well as  Apartment Marketing from landlords who have thought through the various  Building repairs and issues and tried various approaches. Benjamin Tal renovations Delegates at the CFAA Rental Housing Conference 2014 The renowned and engaging economist Benjamin Tal will made these comments: “This has been a very informative give his economic update. Mr. Tal will provide insight into conference.” “Fantastic day!” “Great conference, great the US and World economies in the face of low oil prices, material.” “I particularly liked hearing the expert and then and how they will impact on , and in particular how hearing the practical aspects from the landlord.” “Very world economic forces will drive interest rates, house good speakers, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and willing to prices and rental demand in Canada. To many delegates at share experiences.” past CFAA conferences, hearing Benjamin Tal alone has (Continued on page 6)

Page 1 EOLO Newsletter — March 25, 2015 Housing Answer 2015

The total city housing budget is $160 M per year, much of  a further development of innovative shelter-based it for expenditures mandated by the Province. In each of transitional programs that support homeless people in the past four years from 2011 to 2014, moving to permanent housing. provided $14 million dollars of extra City funding for As well, the City recently adopted a 10 year housing and housing, which was not required by the Province. The homelessness plan known as “Everyone Has a Home: Ottawa’s source of that money was the provincial “upload” of certain Housing and Homelessness Plan.” social service costs. Pursuant to Mayor Watson’s direction, EOLO supports that Plan because it addresses the needs of a substantial amount of the new City money went to new less fortunate residents of Ottawa, and because reducing the rent supplements and housing allowances. number of homeless people on the street or in shelters helps To implement the programs paid for by the additional to reduce pressure on government to regulate the business of funding, the City created the Housing System Consultation rental housing, and helps reduce the need for more costly Group, which included EOLO. EOLO has participated in that services, such as police and hospital emergency services. consultation group for the past four years and has The social service upload is expected to increase by developed positive relationships with the Ottawa approximately $5 million dollars per year for each of 2015, Supportive Housing Network (“Housing Plus”) and the 2016, 2017 and 2018 (for a total additional upload of $20 Ottawa Social Housing Network (OSHN, pronounced million annually by 2018.) “ocean”), as well as other groups. Through a joint campaign during the 2014 municipal election Notable past successes include: campaign, EOLO, OSHN, Housing Plus and the other allied  Over 1,000 new rent supplements and housing groups sought commitments for a significant amount of new allowances, funding, such as $2 million each year. Jim Watson and many  an 80% reduction in the number of individuals who councillors supported that commitment. Among other things, are unsheltered (i.e. homeless and sleeping outdoors), that funding will likely be used for more housing allowances or  a substantial reduction in the overflow motel usage rent supplements, and for Ottawa Renovates, which is like the for homeless families, former CMHC-run RRAP program.  a reduction in the number of individuals sleeping in shelters, and

Mathieu Fleury - the returning Councillor for Sandy Hill

Mathieu Fleury was first elected in Councillor Fleury sat on the City sub-committee which 2010 defeating the incumbent addressed the property tax situation between single Councillor Georges Bedard. Bedard family homes and multi-residential property. In both had proposed that property owners, situations, he has been responsive and fair to the including landlords, be fined for any interests of landlords and renters. excess noise emanating from their EOLO continues to work with Councillor Fleury and his properties. EOLO convinced City staff staff to address friction between renters and residents to make occupants responsible (i.e. in ways which leave landlords free of undue controls and tenants or owner-occupiers), but not regulations. In other words, we are working hard to avoid owners who do not occupy a property, landlord licensing in Ottawa. Mathieu Fleury unless they permit excess noise. Even though he represents a ward with substantial Ward 12 EOLO has developed a close relation- pressure to bring in landlord licensing, Councillor Fleury Rideau-Vanier ship with Councillor Fleury, who has has not leaped on that “solution”. Instead, he is open to the difficult job of managing relations among the University alternate ways to address the problems his constituents of Ottawa, the student-renters and the long-standing resi- are experiencing. He may well enjoy a long run in office, dents. To do that he created the Sandy Hill Town and Gown either at the ward level or at the city-wide level. EOLO is Committee, on which EOLO has permanent representation. very glad to work with him.

Page 2 EOLO Newsletter — March 25, 2015 Rent increase guideline EOLO Thanks our for 2015 Spring 2015 Networking Event Sponsors: For rent increases that take place between Our Host Sponsor: January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2015, the

rent increase guideline has been set at 1.6%.

Ninety days notice must be given using the

approved form.

Fall 2014 Our Gold Sponsors: EOLO Networking Event

Our previous Fall Networking Event, held in September 2014, was a great success for EOLO’s landlord and associ- ate members. EOLO would like to thank all of the landlords and suppliers who were in attendance. If you are interested in joining

EOLO in order to attend future events, please contact the Membership Services Coordinator at (613) 235-9792 or by email at [email protected].

September 2014 Networking Event Sponsors:

Our Gold Sponsors: Dickie and Lyman Lawyers LLP Douglas Fire Safety Systems Miller Waste Systems Phelps Laundry Superior Pool Spa & Leisure Yardi Food Sponsors: Debsel Our Food Station Sponsors: Coinamatic Giant Plumbing & Hardware Rogers

Property Tax Assessment Appeal Deadline: March 31, 2015

Page 3 EOLO Newsletter — March 25, 2015 New City Councillors For 2015 - 2018

Catherine McKenney Catherine McKenney was elected to Jeff Leiper is the new Councillor Ottawa City Council on October 27, for just West 2014, having been endorsed by former of Downtown. He is the former Councillor Diane Holmes. president of the Hintonburg Prior to her election Catherine was the Community Association. strategic advisor to the Deputy City Jeff began his career in the Manager (Operations) at the City of Information and Communications Ottawa. Technology sector as a Previously, Catherine had been a journalist. He subsequently Catherine McKenney political assistant to City Councillor Jeff Leiper worked as an industry analyst Ward 15 - Ward 14 - Diane Holmes (Somerset) and Alex for an international consulting Kitchissippi Somerset Munter (Kanata), and a legislative aide firm, then as an executive in a to both Ed Broadbent and Paul Dewar, federal regulatory agency. NDP Members of Parliament for Ottawa Centre. Jeff positioned himself as a candidate who would fight Catherine also has experience in the voluntary sector as harder on behalf of residents against high-rise manager of public policy for Volunteer Canada and regional developments, incompatible infill homes and the neglect manager for VoicePrint. of heritage buildings. After her victory, Catherine said she will work on what EOLO has met Jeff and reviewed our key issues with matters in the ward: cycling, pedestrians, affordable housing him. We are confident that he will listen to and keeping neighbourhoods strong in the face of and consider reasoned objections to undue extensions development. of city regulations. EOLO has met with her. She acknowledged that her instinct is to favour social housing over portable housing allowances, but she is attracted to the choice that housing allowances provide for recipients. EOLO will touch base with Catherine Jody Mitic frequently. Jody Mitic is the new Councillor for , which covers Orleans. Riley Brockington is the new Councillor Jody served for 20 years in the for River ward, replacing Maria McRae Canadian Armed Forces, ending who did not stand for re-election. his military career as a Sniper Prior to his election, Riley worked at Team Leader in Afghanistan, Statistics Canada for 16 years. As a where he lost both legs below the volunteer, Riley worked for seven knee because of stepping on a years with the Riverside Park Jody Mitic landmine during his third tour of Community and Recreation Ward 2 - duty overseas. This event helped Innes Association, for six years with the inspire change in how the military Riley Brockington Hunt Club-Riverside Community views and handles injured Ward 16 - Centre Board of Directors and for veterans and their ability to be of service. River two years with the Hunt Club As a motivational speaker, Jody is an advocate for Community Organization. wounded veterans, people with disabilities and From 2003 to 2010, Riley also served River Ward as a public amputees. He founded the Never Quit Foundation and School Board Trustee. sat on the Board of Directors of ‘Won with One’. EOLO met Councillor Brockington in January to discuss our EOLO met with Jody and addressed our positions on key issues. We look forward to developing a positive key issues. Understandably, he is very supportive of relationship with him. focusing subsidies for new construction on units which are fully accessible. We look forward to developing a positive relationship with him.

Page 4 EOLO Newsletter — March 25, 2015

New City Councillors For 2015 - 2018 (cont’d)

Jean Cloutier Jean was elected Councillor for Residents of elected Alta Vista, having received George Darouze to Ottawa City former Councillor Peter Hume’s Council in October, 2014. He was endorsement when Peter stepped endorsed by retiring Councillor Doug down after 23 years on City Thompson. Council. Prior to his election, George held a Jean is a Chartered Professional number of managerial positions with Accountant. He was Chief telecommunications companies. He Financial Officer at Tubman has also held the position of Social Funeral Homes for the past 12 George Darouze Director and President with the Ward 18 - years. Ward 20 - Osgoode Carleton Snowmobile Trail Alta-Vista Osgoode Jean also served as Director of Club (OCSTC). Finance at the Canterbury Community Association and George received the Osgoode Ward was elected President from 2010 to 2014. Community Volunteer Award, and in 2012 the Queen’s EOLO met with Councillor Cloutier in December. While Diamond Jubilee medal. discussing the key city issues for landlords, we After his election, EOLO met George and had a cordial underlined the long and positive relationship both EOLO conversation about our issues. We look forward to working and Jean have had with former Councillor Peter Hume. with him, bearing in mind that his (rural) ward includes EOLO looks forward to developing a similar relationship relatively few tenants. with Councillor Cloutier. Tobi Nussbaum Tobi Nussbaum is the new Councillor Michael Qaqish for Rideau-Rockcliffe, defeating Michael Qaqish is the new Councillor Clark, the former Regional Councillor for Gloucester-South Chair. As a candidate, Tobi received Nepean, replacing Steve Desroches, the endorsement of Jacques Legendre, who retired after two terms. the Councillor who stepped down in From 2008 to 2012, Michael 2010, having served for 10 years. worked in Councillor Desroches Tobi has served in various senior office. Then from 2012 to 2014 he positions within the Department of served as a policy advisor to Tobi Nussbaum Foreign Affairs and International Councillor David Chernushenko. Ward 13 - Trade, the Privy Council Office and, Michael Qaqish Michael also worked for Jim Rideau- Rockcliffe most recently, the Canadian Ward 22 - Gloucester- Watson when he was a provincial South Nepean International Development Agency, where he was the minister, and for other Liberal MPs. Director-General of Development Policy. Michael is a past contributor to CTV National and 580 Tobi also served as President and Board Member of the CFRA News Talk Radio, and a former columnist with The Lindenlea Community Association, and later co-founded and Hill Times and host of the current affairs morning show chaired the Beechwood Village Alliance. He holds a Master on CHIN Radio Ottawa. of Public Administration from Harvard University, a law For some time in his teens, Michael lived abroad in degree and a BA. Jordan, where his father was a family physician for EOLO met Councillor Nussbaum in December. We look more than 30 years. forward to presenting him with the evidence about what is EOLO met Michael to review our key issues with him. needed for a thriving rental market that serves residents We look forward to developing a good at all points of the income spectrum. Former Councillor relationship with him. Legendre understood the rental market and was a reliable proponent of allowing the market to function, while supporting people with low incomes. EOLO looks forward to developing a similar relationship with Councillor Nussbaum.

Page 5 EOLO Newsletter — March 25, 2015 CFAA Conference 2015 (cont’d) Residential Tenancies Act (Continued from page 1) 2015 Refresher There will also be lots of opportunities to network with colleagues, during the education program, on the Building Innovation Bus Tour and at the CN Tower Dinner and Wyse SIGN UP NOW After-Party. The Building Innovation Bus Tour will feature The 8:00am – 12:00pm Roehampton, being built by the KG Group, and The includes full breakfast Metropolitan newly renovated by Timbercreek. That tour will take place during the afternoon of Wednesday, June 10. April 15 Ottawa - Hampton Inn Conference Centre April 16 Kingston - Donald Gordon Conference Centre The main social event will be a networking reception and dinner at the CN Tower on Thursday, June 11. The dinner This refresher course will cover starting a tenancy will be followed by the Wyse After-Party. There is a charge right, ending a tenancy and case law update. for the reception and dinner. Admission to the Wyse After- Special EOLO member pricing at $149.99 per person Party is free to conference delegates. plus taxes As well as the education panels, CFAA looks forward to To register, please contact Lynzi Michal at presenting Tony Chapman and Lee Ann McAlear as keynote [email protected] or 1-877-688-1960 Extension 22. speakers. Tony Chapman will address the following marketing topic. The management. consumer is moving from “As the Director of Residential Operations for Skyline mass brands to “MY brand” Management, I spend 70 per cent of my time dealing with that enables MY life and MY employee issues, whether in hiring, training or coaching family’s life. Hear about them,” says B.J. Santavy. Dealing with employees is a innovative ways to connect major part of what executives, regional managers, senior with your customers, and property managers and independent rental owners do. “If grow your rental business by your employees are capable, motivated and working well moving the conversation Tony Chapman together, then you’ll see a positive impact on your financial from telling your story to results,” adds B.J. becoming a part of theirs. Tony Chapman is one of the youngest people ever inducted into the Marketing Hall of The CFAA Rental Housing Conference 2015 will devote 11 Legends. sessions to employee issues. Presenters will cover such topics as hiring, addressing workplace harassment and Lee-Anne McAlear will social media use (from both the legal and the practical address the characteristics, point of view), as well as how to coach employees to raise skills and competencies employee retention and achieve service excellence. needed to lead effectively in today’s demanding working The conference will also address building repair and environment. She will renovation issues. illustrate the differentiating Whatever your portfolio size, the CFAA Rental Housing practices of leaders who Conference 2015 will provide valuable information to help embrace change, engage Lee-Anne McAlear you make your business more rewarding, both for yourself employees and build bridges and for your company. for results. Lee-Anne McAlear is Program Director, How to learn more Innovations, at Schulich School of Business, and a highly regarded consultant and trainer in many industries. The education sessions will be presented at the Westin Prince Hotel on Thursday and Friday, June 11 and 12. Employee Management topics To learn more or to register, visit the conference Besides the apartment investment issues, this year’s section of www.cfaa-fcapi.org. conference will provide a 2-day stream on employee

Page 6 EOLO Newsletter — March 25, 2015 New Ottawa City Council - 2015 to 2018 (cont’d)

for the former CMHC RRAP program. All of those funding (Continued from page 1) allocations are positive for tenants and landlords, and good

use of taxpayer money. reduced the multi-residential tax ratio to offset the relative increase in assessed values. We are optimistic A broader issue has affected landlords and other that City staff will continue to recommend the reductions municipalities, namely landlord licensing. EOLO has worked in the multi-residential tax ratio to offset the relative hard, both to explain why landlord licensing is not helpful to increase in assessed values for 2015 and 2016 taxation address residents’ concerns, and to avoid its coming into (for the average multi-residential property), and that City force. Under Jim Watson’s leadership, Council has not Council will adopt the reduced ratios. taken any steps to implement landlord licensing, nor to adopt a city wide student housing policy. Councillor Fleury City Council continues to allocate a significant portion of represents Sandy Hill, the student housing area which could the provincial social services upload money to additional be the focus of calls for licensing. EOLO has worked financial support for housing. Of the $14 million allocated diligently to address the problems in Sandy Hill, and to to housing, $5 million is being used for rent supplements build a strong positive relationship with him. See the and housing allowances. An expansion of housing allowances article at page 2. or rent supplements has been a major plank in EOLO’s housing policy for more than two decades. As reported at pages 4 and 5, EOLO met with all the new City Councillors. We are pleased with the positive In addition, much of the rest of the extra housing funding reception we received and the content of the discussions. was used for social service supports and supportive Barring major unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances, it housing, which EOLO also supports. It appears likely that seems reasonable for landlords to expect that the policies an additional $2 million per year will be allocated to of the past four years will continue to be the policies of housing, with a continued focus on housing allowances, this term of Council. social service supports for the hard-to-house and some funding for Ottawa Renovates, which is the replacement EOLO 2015 Associate Member Directory

Vincent Spirito & Sons ACCOUNTING APPLIANCES/LAUNDRY COMMUNICATIONS Ltd. Welch LLP Coinamatic Bell Canada Robert Spirito Rachel Graham Bob Lyons Marco Valencia 613-745-4630 613-236-9191 x 5124 613-738-1211 613-742-1188 [email protected] www.welchllp.com www.coinamatic.com www.bell.ca www.w-group.com Rogers Communications Debsel Inc. CONSTRUCTION Tarcy Nascimento Howard Wallace SUPPLIES ADVERTISING/Marketing 613-759-8509 1-877-481-0215 www.rogers.com Gottarent.com www.debsel.com A.Potvin Construction Genevieve Delaney Keyesbury Distributors CONSTRUCTION & 613-446-5181 416-857-4914 Ian Morrison RESTORATION www.potvinconst.com www.gottarent.com 613-257-8100 All Professional Trades Inc. HD Supply Rentseeker.ca www.keyesbury.com Jeff Moore Mike Budge 416-800-7572 519-686-4400 1-800-782-0557 [email protected] www.allprofessionaltrades.com www.hdsupplysolutions.ca The Byng Group Rob Settino 613-739-1022 ASSOCIATE MEMBERS www.thebynggroup.com CONTINUE ON PAGE 8 Page 7 EOLO Newsletter — March 25, 2015 EOLO 2015 Associate Member Directory

ENERGY & SERVICES ENGINEERING & MECHANICAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS Optimum Mechanical SOFTWARE Solutions Demtroys Technologies Cleland Jardine 613-228-9500 Yardi Systems Jean-Sébastien Cyr www.optimummech.com Engineering Ltd. Ron Piccoli 819-780-4272 x101 Robert Jardine MORTGAGE SERVICES 1-888-569-2734 www.demtroys.com 613-591-1533 www.yardi.com Enbridge Gas www.clelandjardine.com CMLS Financial Distribution David Arntfield, Steve REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL Halsall Associates Luigi Pisani McEwen or James Scarrow & CONSULTING Shawn Carr 613-748-6794 613-237-8111 613-237-2462 Altus Group Ltd www.enbridge.com www.cmls.ca www.halsall.com Jeff Arnott EnerCare Connections PLUMBING/HARDWARE 613-721-7804 Barry Zeidenberg FIRE SERVICES www.altusgroup.com 416-649-1892 Giant Plumbing & Stronghold Commercial Real Douglas Fire Safety www.stratacon.ca Hardware Estate Inc. Systems Ltd. Hydro Ottawa Andy Brule Shawn Parkinson Dave Abson Christopher Kelly 613-723-3190 519-646-1200 613-733-5348 613-738-5499 x213 www.giantwholesale.ca [email protected] [email protected] www.hydroottawa.com POOLS K3D Automated Heat FLOORING SIGNAGE & PAVEMENT Superior Pool, Spa & Control Systems MARKING Connolly & Son Flooring Leisure Ltd Glen Doe Ltd. Perry Hart 905-979-1664 All-Signs Dan Connolly 613-228-1212 [email protected] Dave Western 613-733-9117 www.superiorpool.com Leapfrog Lighting 613-835-3910 Giant Carpet & Flooring PROPERTY Jim Armitage www.allsigns.ca Neil Piltzmaker MAINTENANCE 613-270-7877 613-723-3190 WASTE MANAGEMENT www. leapfroglighting.com Goodbye Graffiti www.giantwholesale.ca Property Power Michael West Miller Waste Solutions Mike Bromstein LEGAL SERVICES 613-235-4747 Systems 1-866-796-7460 www.goodbyegraffiti.com Rob Perry www.propowercorp.com Dickie & Lyman Lawyers LLP Nutri-lawn Ottawa 613-742-7222 Wyse Meter Solutions David Lyman Thom Bourne www.wastesolutions.ca 613-235-0101 613-739-3399 Inc. WINDOWS/DOORS Leah Werry www.dickieandlyman.com www.nutrilawn.com Norstar Windows & Doors 647-272-9430 John Vacca [email protected] 1-800-363-4810 wysemeter.com www.norstarwindows.com

Eastern Landlord Organization 1600 Carling Ave, Suite 640 If you have any questions about the issues raised in this bulletin, please contact John Dickie (Chair) or David Lyman (Vice-President) at 613.235.9792, or Luigi Ottawa, ON K1Z 1G3 Caparelli (President) at 613.723.6169. TEL 613.235.9792 FAX 613.238.0101 If you are interested in membership or advertising opportunities, please contact the EOLO Membership Services Coordinator at 613.235.9792 [email protected] www.eolo.ca

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