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We are hearing much about the cost of housing in our area. One issue that is not addressed is landlord greed.
I moved back to Barrie in 2021. I felt lucky to find a two-bedroom apartment for $1,475, all inclusive.
Shortly after moving in, I discovered that the previous tenant was paying $1,200 per month. When I left in June of this year, the landlord was asking $1,700 per month.
There is no political will to do anything really effective, such as rent control.
Ontario is open for business, but is making the lives of moderate-income people impossible.
People are being asked to accept substandard apartments just because that is all they can afford. The apartment I moved into in 2021 had no fire door to the entrance, wiring that was not up to code and unsafe, no egress window in the ‘second’ bedroom. In order to stay warm in the winter, the landlord did give us two heaters.
Where are the building inspectors? Barrie’s downtown core is full of rentals that would never pass inspection.
We need to contact our local and provincial politicians and ask for rent control.
Hanne Hulgaard
Barrie
