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Toronto City Council has approved an increase to development charges that will be phased in over a two-year period in an attempt to manage the impact on community development.
Charges for residential and non-residential buildings have been increased. Half of the increase amount will be implemented on May 1, 2023, with the full rates coming into effect one year later. Despite these aggressive increases in development charges spurred by a change in provincial law that requires municipalities to review their current fee structure, it is encouraging for missing middle housing supply that an amendment was approved that provides exemptions for multiplexes with four or fewer units. What this means is that development charges would be waived on second, third, and fourth units on a single lot. The following scenarios are provided for further clarification on the new exemption:
This exemption was brought forward as a way to encourage more missing middle housing, something that TRREB has been strongly advocating for, and working closely with elected municipal officials and City staff for many years. City Offers Zero-Interest Loans, Incentives to Accelerate Home Retrofits and Emissions Reductions7/17/2022
The City of Toronto has announced an enhanced Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) that will offer zero-interest loans and incentives to help homeowners in Toronto make their homes more energy-efficient and reduce the emissions contributing to climate change. The HELP program has been in existence since 2014, but it has now been enriched and expanded.
For a limited time, through the enhanced HELP program, Toronto homeowners will be able to access: Zero-interest loans of up to $125,000 for terms of up to 15 years; 20-year terms are available for retrofits that include rooftop solar PV, geothermal, new windows and electric heat pumps. Incentives for specific measures including electric heat pumps, which can replace a home’s natural gas furnace and air conditioner; rooftop solar PV and deep retrofits that significantly reduce a home’s emissions.The Government of Canada provided funding to enhance the program through the Green Municipal Fund, administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), including a loan of up to $9.712 million to fund the zero-interest loans and a grant of up to $4.856 million. The new zero-interest loans and incentives will be available until the funding allocated for each is fully subscribed, after which homeowners can continue to access low-interest loans. Home improvements eligible for financing include:
In addition to the loans and incentives available through HELP, homeowners may also be eligible for the federal government’s Canada Greener Homes Grant of up to $5,000. TRREB is encouraged about the launch of the enhanced HELP program, as we have worked closely with City staff in ensuring that homeowners have the necessary financial incentives and supports to undergo costly energy-efficient retrofits on a voluntary basis. The City’s HELP program supports the goals and objectives of TRREB’s first-ever climate change statement, and we look forward to continue working with the City in educating our Members on the HELP program in particular, and on the sustainability and climate action issue in general. More information about HELP is available on the City’s Home Energy Loan Program webpage. NOTE: The HELP application available on this PDF form is the only valid application for this program. Other websites outside of toronto.ca that offer applications for the HELP program are not legitimate. The City of Toronto Garden Suites By-law is now in full force after the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) dismissed an appeal. The Garden Suites By-law and Official Plan Amendment were adopted by Toronto City Council on February 2, but were appealed shortly after. On July 4, 2022, the OLT decided that it did not have jurisdiction to hear the appeals, and dismissed them. Read the full City of Toronto news release.
TRREB is encouraged by this decision, as we have worked closely with the City on allowing garden suites as-of-right across the city. This will now allow a greater variety in the type and form of housing that can be built as part of the City’s Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) program focused on missing middle housing and gentle intensification. Garden suites are not only a solution to increase housing choice for current and future residents, but can also provide help to homeowners to offset mortgage payments on their primary residences. If a proposed garden suite meets various performance criteria, such as maximum building height and setbacks, as well as all applicable bylaw standards, only a building permit application is required. Any garden suite proposal that does not meet the Zoning By-law requirements can seek a minor variance application at the Committee of Adjustment. Through that process, City Planning staff review the application to determine if the proposed variances are appropriate and meet the intent of the Official Plan policies and the Zoning By-law. Members are encouraged to check out the City of Toronto Garden Suites By-law to learn about the rules, regulations and key considerations in order to inform their clients if they wish to consider adding a garden suite to their primary residence. City Offers Zero-Interest Loans, Incentives to Accelerate Home Retrofits and Emissions Reductions7/12/2022
The City of Toronto has announced an enhanced Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) that will offer zero-interest loans and incentives to help homeowners in Toronto make their homes more energy-efficient and reduce the emissions contributing to climate change. The HELP program has been in existence since 2014, but it has now been enriched and expanded.
For a limited time, through the enhanced HELP program, Toronto homeowners will be able to access:
The new zero-interest loans and incentives will be available until the funding allocated for each is fully subscribed, after which homeowners can continue to access low-interest loans. Home improvements eligible for financing include:
In addition to the loans and incentives available through HELP, homeowners may also be eligible for the federal government’s Canada Greener Homes Grant of up to $5,000. TRREB is encouraged about the launch of the enhanced HELP program, as we have worked closely with City staff in ensuring that homeowners have the necessary financial incentives and supports to undergo costly energy-efficient retrofits on a voluntary basis. The City’s HELP program supports the goals and objectives of TRREB’s first-ever climate change statement, and we look forward to continue working with the City in educating our Members on the HELP program in particular, and on the sustainability and climate action issue in general. More information about HELP is available on the City’s Home Energy Loan Program webpage. NOTE: The HELP application available on this PDF form is the only valid application for this program. Other websites outside of toronto.ca that offer applications for the HELP program are not legitimate. NEWS RELEASE Ontario Caps 2023 Rent Increase Guideline Below Inflation at 2.5 Per Cent
June 29, 2022 Municipal Affairs and Housing Ontario’s rent increase guideline for 2023 is 2.5 per cent, below current rates of inflation. The rent increase guideline is the maximum amount a landlord can increase rent during the year for most tenants without the approval of the Landlord and Tenant Board. The guideline is based on Ontario’s Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation calculated monthly by Statistics Canada using data that reflects economic conditions over the past year. Due to recent inflation, this would result in a 2023 guideline of 5.3 per cent, however the guideline is capped to help protect tenants from significant rent increases. “As Ontario families face the rising cost of living, our government is providing stability and predictability to the vast majority of tenants by capping the rent increase guideline below inflation at 2.5 per cent,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “We continue to look for ways to make homes more attainable for hardworking Ontarians, while making it easier to build more houses and rental units to address the ongoing supply crisis.” The guideline applies to the vast majority – approximately 1.4 million – of rental households covered by the Residential Tenancies Act. It does not apply to rental units occupied for the first time after November 15, 2018, vacant residential units, community housing, long-term care homes or commercial properties. Rent increases are not automatic or mandatory. Landlords may only raise rent if they gave tenants at least 90 days’ written notice using the correct form. In addition, at least 12 months must have passed since the first day of the tenancy or the last rent increase. If a tenant believes they have received an improper rent increase, they can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board to request a correction. Quick Facts The 2023 rent increase guideline is applicable to most rent increases between January 1 and December 31, 2023. In most cases, the rent increase cannot be more than the rent increase guideline. Landlords can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for above-guideline rent increases, under certain circumstances, such as after eligible capital work has been paid for and finished. Tenants who may need help to pay their rent are encouraged to contact their local service manager to see what housing supports are available in their community. Additional Resources Learn more about renting in Ontario and your rights as a tenant, including easy-to-understand rental leases and protections against wrongful or bad faith evictions. Learn about the rules for rent increases, including rent increase guidelines and resolving issues about rent control. Use Navigate Tribunals Ontario to learn about your rights and responsibilities and the rules and processes at the Landlord and Tenant Board. Visit Ontario’s website for information on how to solve a disagreement with your landlord or tenant, and learn how we can help if a landlord or tenant breaks a rule under the Residential Tenancies Act. Based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI), the guideline on rent increases for 2022 in Ontario is 1.2 per cent.
The guideline applies to most residential rental accommodations covered by the Residential Tenancies Act. It does not apply to rental units in buildings occupied for the first time after November 15, 2018, social housing units, long-term care homes or commercial property. The rent increase guideline is the maximum most landlords can raise a tenant's rent without the approval of the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). It is applicable to most rent increases between January 1 and December 31, 2022. Landlords may only raise rent if they gave tenants at least 90 days written notice using the correct form. In most cases, the rent increase cannot be more than the rent increase guideline. In addition, at least 12 months must have passed since the first day of the tenancy or the last rent increase. If a tenant believes they have received an improper rent increase, they may dispute it at the LTB within 12 months. Due to the pandemic, and to support tenants, Ontario froze rent for the vast majority of tenants in 2021, so the 2021 rent increase guideline was set at 0 per cent. The Ontario government is introducing a new Code of Ethics for home builders to further strengthen protections for buyers and owners of new homes. The changes will come into effect on July 1, 2021, and will support greater transparency through the new home buying process for all Ontarians, while improving a standard of work and professionalism that reflects the best of Ontario’s homebuilding industry.
In general, the new code encourages licensed builders to behave with integrity, honesty and not intimidate or coerce potential buyers. A key requirement is that builders “shall be clear and truthful in describing the features, benefits and prices connected with a new home.” The code also seeks to ensure that any advertising related to new homes is not “false, misleading, deceptive or illegal.” In addition to the Code of Ethics, the province will provide the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) – responsible for licensing new home builders – with a new discipline committee and appeals committee process to make it easier for homeowners and buyers to settle disputes and hold bad actors accountable. HCRA has the right to deny licences if it feels builders are not adhering to the provisions of the Code of Ethics. You can read the province’s new release for more information here. Ontario’s Stay-at-Home order expired June 2, 2021; however, all other public health and workplace measures will remain in place provincewide until the province enters Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen, at which point, some restrictions will ease with an initial focus on outdoor settings.
Restrictions that will remain in effect beyond June 2 include limitations on gatherings, businesses, services and activities. These include:
Individuals will be able to leave home to travel within the province to a secondary residence for any reason; however, they are not permitted to host members of another household indoors except for a person from another household who lives alone or a caregiver. A simple, easy-to-understand summary of restrictions can be found on the province’s “Reopening Ontario” webpage, which provides details on what public health measures are in place before the province enters Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen. Residential Evictions Moratorium is Lifted With the expiry of the Stay-at-Home order, emergency order O. Reg 266/21 (Residential Evictions) also expired on June 2, 2021. The Building Transit Faster Act, 2020 introduces measures that support the accelerated completion of the province’s four priority subway projects.
Homeowners should be aware that as of June 3, 2021, lands for the Ontario Line, Scarborough Subway Extension and Eglinton Crosstown West Extension projects have been designated. The Bill is about the planning and construction of the Ontario Line, the Scarborough Subway Extension, the Yonge Subway Extension and the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension. The boundaries of the Transit Corridor Lands were set by looking at existing infrastructure in the area, the route and design of the transit project, and how it would be built. In addition, 10-metre and 30-metre buffer areas have been set around the Transit Corridor Lands to protect for and to address potential construction conflicts that could come up during further project design and construction work associated with the propriety transit projects. What does this mean for you? As result of this designation of lands, if you are planning to build, alter, place a building, structure or a road, or install a utility or any works that require excavation or dewatering, grading, on or under transit corridor land, or land within 10-metres or 30-metres of the Transit Corridor lands, a Corridor Development Permit (CDP) from Metrolinx may be required in addition to any necessary municipal permits/approvals. This new permitting requirement will help Metrolinx identify, assess, and ultimately avoid conflicts with nearby construction activities by others. It will also help reduce the likelihood that you might have to stop, revise, or redo your work in the future due to conflicts with the priority transit project. The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has released its Roadmap to Reopen, a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health measures based on the provincewide vaccination rate and improvements in key public health and health care indicators. In response to recent improvements to these indicators, Ontario will allow more outdoor recreational amenities to reopen, with restrictions in place, effective May 22, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.
“As a result of the strict public health measures we introduced to stop the spread of COVID-19 variants, we are seeing a steady improvement in our situation as ICU and hospital numbers begin to stabilize,” said Premier Doug Ford. “While we must remain conscious of the continued threat the virus poses, with millions of Ontarians having received at least their first dose of vaccine we can now begin the process of a slow and cautious re-opening of the province in full consultation with our public health professionals.” Roadmap to Reopen outlines three steps to easing public health measures, guided by the following principles:
“While we know that now is not yet the moment to reopen, Ontarians deserve to know the path forward on what we will carefully reopen and when, starting with the settings we know are safest,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Brighter days are ahead and we believe this Roadmap represents a path out of the pandemic and will encourage Ontarians to get vaccinated and to continue following public health advice.” The provincewide emergency brake restrictions remain in effect while the province assesses when it will be moving to Step One of the roadmap with the Stay at Home order expiring on June 2, 2021. During this time, the government will continue to work with stakeholders on reopening plans to ensure full awareness of when and how they can begin to safely reopen. Due to the continuing success of Ontario’s vaccine rollout and the collective efforts of Ontarians in following public health and workplace safety measures to date, effective May 22, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. the province will reopen outdoor recreational amenities with restrictions in place, such as the need to maintain physical distancing. These amenities include but are not limited to golf courses and driving ranges, soccer and other sports fields, tennis and basketball courts, splash and spray pads and skate parks. No outdoor sports or recreational classes are permitted. Outdoor limits for social gatherings and organized public events will be expanded to five people, which will allow these amenities to be used for up to five people, including with members of different households. All other public health and workplace safety measures under the provincewide emergency brake will remain in effect. At this time, publicly funded and private elementary and secondary schools in the province will continue to operate under teacher-led remote learning. Data will be assessed on an ongoing basis and medical experts, including the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and other health officials will be consulted to determine if it may be safe to resume in-person learning. “Due to the stringent efforts of Ontarians following public health and workplace safety measures, we have reached the point where we can begin preparing to exit the provincewide emergency brake and lift the Stay-at-Home order,” said Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “We must remain vigilant however, as the fight against COVID-19 is not over and our case counts, ICU capacity and hospitalizations are still concerning. It remains critical that all Ontarians continue to follow all public health and workplace safety measures currently in place to help further reduce transmission and save lives.” The government will continue to work with the Public Health Measures Table, Public Health Ontario, and other public health and scientific experts to determine public health guidance for Ontarians to follow, including protocols for masking and outdoor/indoor gatherings, after being fully vaccinated. Quick Facts
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