Type of heating, tax increases, major work done by the landlord, all must be taken into account when calculating a rent hike.
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
Rent-hiking time: tenants told to be watchful
In 2007 the rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Laval rose 3.2%, an increase which compared poorly with the 0.8% recommended by the Quebec Rental Board. Year after year the gap between the fact and the recommendation persists, as does the lack of understanding between landlord and tenant.
Monday, the Rental Board set the average rate increase for 2008 at 0.7%. “It must be understood that this increase relates to a non-heated apartment, no tax increase and no major repair or renovation work done,” points out Hans Brouillette, responsible for communications for the Corporation of Real Estate Owners of Quebec. (CORPIC).
“An increase over 0.7% doesn’t mean the landlord is filling his pockets.”
The Coalition of Rental Committees and Tenant Associations of Quebec (RCLALQ), for its part, deplores “the iniquity of rent-setting regulations” and is asking the Quebec government to take direct control of the matter. The organization notes that the figures issued by the Rental Board are only suggestions. Officials of the organization recommend that tenants communicate with the rent committee of their building or district for support in the event of an abusive increase.
Case by case
Each case is specific, says France Desroches of ACEF (Cooperative Action for Family Economy) of Île Jésus.
General criteria such as type of heating, major work done by the landlord, and increases in municipal and school taxes could contribute to a rent hike. For example, each 5% increase in taxes leads to a 0.7% raise in rent.
At ACEF the phone is already ringing, says Mrs. Desroches. Some tenants received rent notices in early January, even before the Rental Board issued its recommendations, usually made at month's end.
“It doesn’t give tenants a lot of time to react,” she says, considering they have only a month to notify the landlord they are rejecting the increase.
The ACEF agent emphasizes that many tenants are afraid to contest a rent increase. Often, “They don’t know we’re there to help.”
ACEF can be of help to tenants in determining the specifics of the increase for their apartment. The organization can also give advice. “I tell people to be watchful,” Mrs. Desroches sums up.
In the event of a rent increase rejection, the tenant has the right to see the bills for repairs or renovation work even before approaching the Rental Board, she cites as an example of vigilance on the part of tenants.
Photo:rent
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
The Rental Board:
www.rdl.gouv.ca or (514) 873-2245. ACEF Île Jésus: (450) 662-0255.
Météo: Laval, 18 juillet 2008 / 19°C
/ Couvert
/ Vents: 11 Km/h / Humidité relative: 88 % 
Steven Guilbeault - Chronique environnement
Richard Cléroux - Le fouineur politique
