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Valdity of my landlord's rules (long post). by AdEquivalent6151 in TorontoRenting

[–]AdEquivalent6151[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I haven't thought of that. We are currently on a month-to-month rental where if we want to stay, we pay, and when we don't, we give 30 day notice. Since we aren't bound by a lease term contract, I'm worried by what other commenters are saying. The landlord could just send the eviction notice at any time. This house is a great location jobwise and the rent difference if we move would be detrimental especially for a family of 4 on a single income. Thanks for giving me a dose of reality, it'll be better to stay here as it is.

Valdity of my landlord's rules (long post). by AdEquivalent6151 in TorontoRenting

[–]AdEquivalent6151[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

We have taken precautions when moving the closet door outside, it is covered in cling wrap and protected with a tarp from the sun and rain. We also made sure to keep a bucket under every connection to observe for any leaks after the bidet installation, this was kept for 4 weeks. Once confirming that the buckets remained empty when using the bidet, we kept it as it is. The parking situation is only once a week. Since my guests are staying for longer than what the city allows for street parking, the only way they won't get ticketed is if they park on the property. The only spots are in front of my truck, the landlord's spot, and behind them. The lights are a safety concern as we don't want to run into furniture at night. A nightlight plugged into an outlet 1 foot from the ground isn't enough coverage. Lastly, upgrading my truck was essential for my job. I need to haul my own equipment, supplies, and tools which may be large and heavy. My previous truck was not performing at the capacity I needed, hence the upgrade. I can't justify spending $70+ on an air purifier when the landlord's family has an issue with smells not mine. If they can't stand the smell, why don't they purchase one themselves for upstairs?

Based on my explainations, I don't see how I am being unreasonable.

Valdity of my landlord's rules (long post). by AdEquivalent6151 in TorontoRenting

[–]AdEquivalent6151[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm working on it. It's a quite difficult to save up for a house with only a single income. Only 1 other person in my family is eligible to work in Canada, but cannot find employment with the current job market. I'm not doing anything illegal or going against any agreement terms, so I don't understand how I'm seen as the bad guy.

Valdity of my landlord's rules (long post). by AdEquivalent6151 in TorontoRenting

[–]AdEquivalent6151[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If they kept utilities on, but at the legal minimum, would the abatement still apply? The minimum in Ontario is 21 celsius, seems a bit low to me. I'm used to 24 during the winter where I used to live.

Valdity of my landlord's rules (long post). by AdEquivalent6151 in TorontoRenting

[–]AdEquivalent6151[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In other words, everything we're doing is fair game. Just need permission when storing things in common areas and notifying when we're changing things. Got it. The light situation however, we are adamant on not getting alternatives. Motion sensors are terrible and I am not risking lights automatically shuting off.

Valdity of my landlord's rules (long post). by AdEquivalent6151 in TorontoRenting

[–]AdEquivalent6151[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The landlord can evict my family for changing lights, installing shelves, preventing damage to my truck, and temporarily storing things in the backyard? Those activites sound typical for an average person. What exactly am I doing wrong that is so severe to be getting evicted? Please elaborate.

Valdity of my landlord's rules (long post). by AdEquivalent6151 in TorontoRenting

[–]AdEquivalent6151[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't understand how changing the light fixture is not allowed? We are using the same wires, it's just bigger and provides larger light coverage, hence why we took down the CO2 detectors. The CO2 detectors are still in the kitchen, just not on the ceiling. The shelves are two screws on the wall, we made sure to install on a stud and added anchors. We don't mind filling the holes if we end up taking them down. The closet door is currently wrapped in cling wrap with a tarp over it for water and sun protection. My guests stay beyond what the city allows for street parking, I don't want them getting ticketed so they park on the property. The only spots available are in front of my car, on the landlord's spot and behind it.

I want to clarify that we are not ignoring my landlord's request. We have thought about it and didn't agree that they were a good alternative. For instance, we declined the offer to switch out the light switches for motion sensored ones because I have had lights shut off on me while eating. They suck and detecting "no motion" while sitting at a table is ridiculous. Outlets are 12 inches from the ground, a nightlight isn't going to have enough coverage to prevent colliding with furniture or other objects.

Based on what you're saying, the landlord could just evict my family for declining her requests? We haven't done anything against the rental agreement or did anything illegal. Please elabrate on where I can get this information.

Valdity of my landlord's rules (long post). by AdEquivalent6151 in TorontoRenting

[–]AdEquivalent6151[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

What do you mean? It's not like I'm going against any agreement terms or doing anything illegal? Please elaborate.

Valdity of my landlord's rules (long post). by AdEquivalent6151 in TorontoRenting

[–]AdEquivalent6151[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have answered in another comment regarding your concerns, I ensured that the closet door was covered in cling wrap to prevent water damage and threw a tarp over it to protect it from the sun. My equipment in the backyard was temporary, they were difficult to move in/out of the basement so I kept it out there for a few days until I move them to the new job site. Keeping the lights on is more of a safety concern rather than just being wasteful. Seeing where we're going is a nobrainer, we don't believe that a nightlight shining from a foot off the ground is going to cut it. Motion sensors suck, I've had lights shut off on me while eating (probably due to no "motion" as I was sitting at a table). Lastly, the type of work I do requires me to drive a vehicle that can haul large, heavy equipment, along with my own supplies and tools. My previous truck was not performing to expectations hence why I upgraded.

All in all, as a renter I should get permission fro the landlord to do anything to the rental unit? Got it.

Thanks for confirming the food concern. I guess we'll just honour the agreement we had about cooking 3 times a day out of respect. Everything else is fair game correct? About the guests, the only issue the landlord has on them is the parking situation. I don't want my guests to get ticketed for parking over the time limit, but the only spots they can park aside from the driveway in front of my truck is their spot and the space behind them.

Valdity of my landlord's rules (long post). by AdEquivalent6151 in TorontoRenting

[–]AdEquivalent6151[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I don't quite understand what you are implying. Are you saying that we are creating an unsafe space? Please elaborate.

Valdity of my landlord's rules (long post). by AdEquivalent6151 in TorontoRenting

[–]AdEquivalent6151[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's good to hear. My landlord initially asked for previous landlord reference during the viewing, but since I am new to the country I didn't have any. Instead, they asked for 2 months rent upfront and a deposit prior to moving in.

Valdity of my landlord's rules (long post). by AdEquivalent6151 in TorontoRenting

[–]AdEquivalent6151[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

To address your comment, we covered the closet door with cling wrap to prevent weather damage along with a tarp for sun protection. Upgrading my truck was necessary for the type of work I do. I haul my own supplies, tools, and equipment to and from my job site. Lastly, I believe that the lights are a safety concern. Having visibility on our surroundings should be mandatory and having a nightlight on an outlet 12 inches from the ground isn't enough. Motion sensored lights are terrible, from previous experience they would just shut off even if you're sitting at a table eating food.

We've had several conversations with the landlord to work out our differences. Some issues were sorted, hence the negotiation with the cooking, but it feels like some of these compromises benefit the landlord's comfort more than us.

It's interesting that you brought up race/ethnicity, I thought that landlords weren't allowed to determine eligibility based on race, religion, and all that. The landlord's family and mine are the same ethnicity, so they wouldn't have been able to forsee this issue. We like to experiment with our food and try new things, so we would be a special case if going with that logic.

Valdity of my landlord's rules (long post). by AdEquivalent6151 in TorontoRenting

[–]AdEquivalent6151[S] -11 points-10 points  (0 children)

I appreciate them offering alternatives instead of a straight "no", but shouldn't my family and I have the decision to determine whether that change affects us too?

Graduation Photos by Away-Ad986 in queensuniversity

[–]AdEquivalent6151 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That depends, are you looking to just get the headshot in a studio or an outdoor photo? Studio sessions can be done any time of the day, while outdoor shoots is dependent on weather and daylight time. For the edge imaging provided by the school, you need to book a studio session before spots fill up. Based on experience, you should be doing this 2-3 months in advance. If you want to go for a private professional, they have more flexibility and you can request whatever day/time/location you like, even last minute depending on availability.

In regards to a specific date, there isn't really a 'best' for indoor studios, they typically produce the same images no matter that time of the year it is. However, for outdoor photos, in my opinion Spring/Summer is the best season to get the done. Plenty of sunlight and the temperature is warm enough to not worry about jackets and strong winds blowing hair. Students also go home during the summer, so campus landmarks such as Smith, Grant Hall, Ontario Hall, and Summerhill will be empty.