TENANTS have unionized to fight a landlord who increased parking fees by $200.
Monthly parking fees were $50 before being increased to $250.
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An apartment building in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada got a new manager and residents have been feeling uncomfortable ever since.
First, eviction notices were sent to some tenants, citing renewals as the reason for the mandatory eviction, leaving those who were not notified panicking due to higher rent prices.
Now the owner of the building chases residents with cars in the underground parking lots.
More than 100 tenants are banding together to say “No” to their landlord after they raised their monthly parking fee from $50 to $250.
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Previously, the parking fee was included in the rent.
Now they are even more concerned that a higher rental rate is coming.
The letter to tenants said: “Following the completion of our parking audit, it has come to our attention that you have a vehicle occupying a parking space.”
“Your vehicle is not registered with the office, nor are you permitted a space under our rental agreement.”
A note has been added stating that anyone who does not register their parking spot will be fined or towed.
Tessa D’Achille, a longtime resident who has parked her car in the garage for years, doesn’t believe it.
D’Achille is one of several residents who received an eviction notice earlier this year.
“They’re just trying to scare us,” she said CTV News Kitchener.
“It seems like a very heavy-handed tactic to make people as uncomfortable as possible.”
She also felt strongly that the sudden and shocking change in parking fees was not legal.
“Initially we were stressed, but I immediately read the RTA (Ontario Residential Tenancies Act) and realized this is illegal,” she said.
Pataida Mzitze, a legal assistant who is familiar with the situation, did not immediately comment on the legality of the price increase – but advised other residents to seek legal advice.
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“That’s the first thing we advise. Don’t sign, bring us the information, bring us the documents, let us review them so we can give you that advice,” she said.
“The legislation is clear about what is considered an illegal increase, or illegal accommodation, or a legal term in a lease and versus what is not.”
Tired of the games, D’Achille and other residents decided to unionize to be a stronger force against the owner.
Norm Pettifer, another resident facing eviction, said unionization appears to be helping.
“We were actually able to come together and say ‘no’ to them as a group rather than individually,” he said.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
