2023

Survey Results

www.hpta.ca

Surveys ​Results

2023

01

Data collected as of September 2023

Data collected as of February 2023

02

1.2023 TENANT survey

RESPONDENTS: 96

Question 7: If yes, are your accessibility needs being adequately met by Building Management? Please describe any challenges you may be experiencing.

“Ramp - other tenants tried to get a proper ramp but Building (Management) said they do not and will not accommodate because the building was built prior to the laws to accommodate wheelchairs/walkers, etc.You cannot add safety bars to bathrooms either. So people have to move or hire people to help with this. i.e. stairs to laundry, recycle, entrances/exits.”

“We have asked about a grab bar/rail to aid getting into/out of the bathtub. We were told not to attach one to the wall. As this issue gets more troublesome for us, we will voice our concerns more strongly.”

“I don't always need assistance but when my arthritis is affecting my mobility, the ramp at this building is incredibly steep and hard to manage. Also the fact that you have to climb stairs to get to laundry or storage is incredibly difficult.”

“Can't get to parking or laundry because it's stairs.”

“We need a proper ramp + accessible front doors. I am able-bodied and find it very difficult to bring in my groceries or other heavy items without the risk of either slipping off the steps or hurting my wrist opening the door.”

“I have no accessibility needs, but our building’s automatic door is frequently not functioning. Management is well aware of this issue and has failed to address it after a number of years of formal complaints by residents as well as visits from a Bylaw Officer about this particular issue.”

“ Access from the parking garage to the elevator and access from the front door to the elevator lobby.”

Question 10: Are you aware that the HPTA's priority objective is “to represent the local rental community in matters of maintenance and above guidelines rent increases, review and where necessary, challenge landlord applications for Above Guideline Increases (AGIs) at the Landlord and Tenant Board" ?

By advocating for us at (LTB) hearings related to Above-Guideline

Rent Increases.

Keeping me posted on what they’re doing through the FB group. Challenging rent increases, helping with the balcony project, etc.

By keeping me informed. By defending our rights as tenants. By questioning/ investigating AGIs and taking steps

to reduce inappropriate AGIs (probably most of them are just a way for our landlords GWL/Minto to gouge us and get a free ride on repairs.

Raising general awareness of tenants' rights and the power in organizing.

Challenging AGIs applications and other actions by the landlord; Mediating with the landlord; Communicating with the tenants; Raising awareness and advocating around the proposed developments.

The HPTA has successfully challenged every Minto AGI application since I have lived here.

They have given me advice via email when I've asked for it.

Question 12: The HPTA is looking to provide its members additional services related to protecting and advocating tenant rights. Which of the following areas are you most interested in the HPTA providing?

2.RentCafe ​survey

RESPONDENTS: 44

NO - Minto office doesn’t even respond to emails or calls I don’t think an app would help.

NO - I don't trust anything about RentCafe.

NO - I do maintenance requests by email. I want a proper thread of their responses and mine. I do not like that we were forced to use RentCafe, especially considering that they have accessibility issues and security concerns and that it was deployed in such a sloppy manner with so many errors on our balances. I use RentCafe begrudgingly to make manual payments as it is the only way for me to pay rent now while avoiding paying unapproved AGI.

YES - It works quite well for me, someone usually comes by within 1-2 business days.

YES - There is no ability to followup on status.I have one that shows complete yet nothing has been done, I haven't heard from them so no idea what is happening if anything. Also I find in order to get a status I have to resubmit and call the help line at least 4 times.

YES - I submitted 4 or 5 that Management never received.

I didn't know there was this feature.

See rent amount, payment history.

I can make a service request online.

I use it because I have to, but I don't find it useful as there is no way to submit questions or search for status of submissions.

Easy access if out of town.

For those that have access to reliable internet, this app works well for its intent.

I do not agree with having to use this to pay my rent. I prefer to make a direct transfer to my bank.

I haven't really explored it all to be honest.

The service request feature would be great if they used it in a timely manner and didn't request information that was already submitted by email afterwards.

None. RENTCafé is not intended to help tenants. It is designed to coerce tenants into paying unapproved AGI amounts.

I don’t use it. I ignore it.

Inaccuracy in rent, absence of fees breakdown, lack of status tracking /history on maintenance requests, no booking for other amenities like media room and guest suites.

I don’t even try to use it until I have a problem. Then can’t figure out how to use it.

Putting banking information on an unknown app. I wish tenants could have the option cheque, banking or RentCafe. the all also has features like calander but it’s not used so it feels like a boring app. The AGI being shown on the app isn’t right as people will pay if they don’t see. It should be added after approval.

The fact that the balance owed is only based on inclusion of unapproved AGI, not accounting for those of us that wish to not pay unapproved AGI.

Having to log on. It is easier to phone to make a request.

Can't reach someone who can answer a question.

No record of maintenance requests.

Allow bank transfers from my bank account to Minto's bank account, as (done) previously.

The ability to register guest parking.

The ability to email management departments directly.

Clarity in itemization, use words instead of acronyms, and clearly itemize all payments made. We should be able to look back and see a history of payments as well.

Delineate between required rent and increases that have not yet been approved. General maintenance requests for building and not unit specific (ie. hallway messes, laundry room, etc.)

Improve customer service which has deteriorated significantly over the last year.

Have some kind of financial

security measures.

Keep a record of any requests.

I wish there was still an option to pay the rent through online banking pay bills flow, but Minto removed itself from the list of payees.

The noise and dust associated with the coming construction.

Wish these High Park buildings were better taken care of. Additionally, rent increases have been requested under the pretense of improvements that either HAVEN’T happened, or aren’t accessible to all tenants (i.e. 40 High Park Ave and Livmore have access to pool/gym/dog area) but buildings across the street (95, 65, etc.) do not.

I have refused to use RentCafe thus far due to their inaccuracy, difficulties in signing up for an account, and demanding additional fees on top of rent payment if I prefer to make one-time payments. I'm upset that I will be forced to use it as a payment platform despite having no say in the matter. I think it's unfair to have a unilateral decision made without consulting tenants at all in changing to this platform.

AGI process is a shitshow- complicated and hard to understand

We should not have had to use this payment system, we should be given the option.