Niagara Regional Housing Tenant Information

We want you to enjoy your home and neighbourhood, and to understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant.

This is a quick overview of information for living in a Niagara Regional Housing community. It may change over time. For information not included, contact your tenant support representative.

For a printed copy of the Niagara Regional Housing Tenant Handbook or Housing Herald newsletter, call 905-682-9201 ext. 3920.

Living in a Niagara Regional Housing unit

• Paying your rent

  As a tenant, you can pay your rent in several ways.

  • Pre-authorized payments allow withdrawal of your rent directly from your bank account. You will need to provide Niagara Regional Housing with a void cheque and signed authorization in order to set up this plan. This is the best way to make sure your rent is paid on time
  • Telephone and online payments are available through most banks. Check with your bank to see if this is available to you. You will need your tenant number when you sign up.
  • Cheques, post-dated cheques and money orders can be mailed to our office or dropped off in site boxes located at most housing communities. If your cheque is returned, contact your property manager to discuss a repayment agreement.
  • Debit payments can be made at our office on 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold

  If you can't pay the rent

  We want you to keep your home. If you are having trouble paying your rent, contact your property manager right away. We will try to work with you to arrange a payment plan.

• Reporting changes to your household or income

  Your rent amount must be reviewed every year. However, if any of the following changes happen, you must report the change to Niagara Regional Housing within 30 days:

  • A permanent change in the number of people living in your unit
  • A member of your household begins or stops receiving assistance under the Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program
  • A permanent increase in income for anyone in your household Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program
  • A change in a member of your household's full-time student status
  • A member of your household's income tax has been reassessed or newly assessed

  If you do not report these changes, you will no longer be eligible for rent-geared-to-income assistance.

  To report this change, call your tenant support representative.

• Annual Income Declaration packages

  Once a year you will be sent a package of forms called the Income Declaration Package.

  Make sure to complete your taxes so that you can provide your notice of assessment.

  You must complete these forms and return them to Niagara Regional Housing in your community's drop box or at Niagara Region Headquarters at 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, PO Box 344, Thorold, Ontario, L2V 4T7.

  If you do not return the forms by the due date you will lose your Rent-Geared-to-Income subsidy and your rent will increase to maximum (market) rent.

  Call your tenant support representative if you need help with the forms.

• How to request an appeal

  You can ask for an appeal if:

  • The rent calculation was based on incorrect information
  • The rent was calculated incorrectly
  • The subsidy should not have been terminated
  • You have been asked to move because you have too many bedrooms for the number of people in your household

  You must request an appeal within 30 business days of the date you were informed of the decision.

• Income requirements

  To remain eligible for rent-geared-to-income assistance, tenants must pursue income from:

  • Basic financial assistance under the Ontario Works Act, 1997
  • Support under the Divorce Act (child support)
  • Benefits under the Employment Insurance Act
  • Any pension that a person is entitled to receive (Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement, Canada Pension)
  • Support or maintenance from immigration sponsorship

  You have 30 days to provide proof that you have made reasonable efforts to pursue any of these incomes.

• Non-payment of rent

  If you receive a Notice of Termination for Nonpayment of Rent (N4), you must pay the full amount of rent owing before the termination date on the notice or Niagara Regional Housing may proceed to the Landlord Tenant Board to evict you from your unit.

  Call your property manager if you need assistance.

• Maintenance and repairs

  Unit repairs

  Contact your tenant support representative for repairs or maintenance.

  Heat

  If you have no heat, contact your tenant support representative.

  Hot water or leaking water tank

  Hot water tanks are rental units. Call Enercare at 1-800-266-3939 and the tank will be repaired or replaced at no cost to you.

• Changes to the unit

  Air conditioner

  If installing a floor air conditioner, you need your property manager's permission. You must pay $60 each year for electricity for the air conditioner. Five dollars will be added each month to cover this.

  You cannot bring in or use a window air conditioner.

  Carpet

  Carpet can be installed as long as the carpet is not fitted under the baseboards, glued or nailed down. You must remove the carpet before you move out of the unit.

  Lock changes

  Tenants cannot change locks themselves. To request a lock change, contact your tenant support representative. The cost will be the amount that Niagara Regional Housing is charged by the locksmith.

  Paint and wallpaper

  You need written permission from your property manager to paint or install wallpaper before starting the project.

  Dark paint colours must be returned to the original colour and wallpaper must be removed before you move out. Failure to do so will result in maintenance charges which will be pursued after you move out of the unit.

  Satellite dish

  A satellite dish can be installed, but you will need to get written permission from your property manager first.

• Health and safety

  Asbestos
  

  If disturbed asbestos is found in a unit (built before 1990), call your property manager immediately so that it can be addressed.

  Gas leak

  If you smell gas, leave the unit right away and contact the gas company at 1-866-763-5427.

  Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

  If your carbon monoxide detector does not work or keeps going off, open your windows, leave your unit and call Fire Services. Also contact your tenant support representative immediately or speak to the answering service at Niagara Regional Housing if it is not during regular business hours.

  Faulty detectors must be reported immediately and it is illegal to disconnect them. Failure to comply can result in fines and safety risks.