Niagara Regional Housing tenants

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

• Pre-authorized payments allow withdrawal of your rent directly from your bank account. This is the best way to make sure your rent is paid on time. To sign up, complete the pre-authorized payment agreement form (PDF) and provide Niagara Regional Housing with a void cheque. The bank will transfer your rent to Niagara Regional Housing between the first and third of each month. If you have questions, call 905-682-9201.
• 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

e-Transfer

You can also pay using e-Transfer.

Step 1: Add Niagara Regional Housing as a new contact. You only need to do this the first time you send a payment.

• Contact name: Niagara Regional Housing
• Send by: Email only
• Email address: etransferpayments.nrh@niagararegion.ca

Save the contact.

Step 2: Send your payment.

Choose the Niagara Regional Housing contact you saved. Enter the payment amount. In the message box, enter your tenant number and what the payment is for. For example: T1234567 Rent.

The message box only allows 40 characters. Keep your message short.

Step 3: Complete the payment.

Send the payment. Niagara Regional Housing uses automatic deposit. You do not need to add a security question or answer.

We want you to keep your home.

If you're having trouble paying your rent, contact your property manager right away. We'll try to work with you to arrange a payment plan.

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 help.

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.

Important: If you don't 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 (rent) if you need help with the forms.

Heat

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

Hot water or leaking water tank

Hot water tanks are rental units. If your tank says Enercare, call Enercare at 1-800-266-3939. They will fix or replace it at no cost to you. If your tank does not say Enercare, call 905-682-9201.

Unit repairs

Contact your tenant support representative (maintenance) for repairs or maintenance.

Air conditioner

If installing an air conditioner, you need your property manager's permission. You must pay $60 each year for electricity for the air conditioner. An extra $5 will be added each month to cover this.

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.

Housing accommodation request

Niagara Regional Housing aims to make units barrier-free and accessible to everyone.

Complete the housing accommodation request form to tell staff that you need a change to your unit based on medical need, such as adding grab bars, raising the toilet or for barrier-free bathing Before completing the form, contact agencies you think can help, such as March of Dimes and 211.

Niagara Regional Housing is committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities.

As a tenant of Niagara Regional Housing, you may qualify for Rogers Connected for Success.

Rogers helps eligible households get the best internet speed with free installation, modem rental and unlimited data. No credit checks are needed.

Call 1-866-689-0758 for more information.

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.

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

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
• 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

Important: If you don't report these changes, you will no longer be eligible for rent-geared-to-income assistance.

To report this change, call your tenant support representative (rent).

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.

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

Under the Housing Services Act, you have the right to appeal a decision. To appeal, you must submit your request in writing within 30 business days of receiving this notice. Send your written appeal request to:

Niagara Regional Housing, Appeal Committee
Box 344
Thorold, ON L2V 3Z3

If you do not submit an appeal request within 30 business days, the decision will be considered final.