At the bottom of all local stories published on BarrieToday, readers have the option of submitting feedback. Here's a snapshot of what readers had to say about what was making news over the last week:
Oct. 20
LETTER: Property manager calls city's proposed licensing rules an 'assault' on small landlords
So where have these ‘great landlords’ been all this time? Why haven’t they themselves stepped up to challenge the ‘cheaters’? The ‘great landlords’ have no one to blame but themselves and their lack of involvement and input during the months, the years that the ‘great homeowners and residents’ have had to put up with all the issues we’ve had to live with for so long. Being a landlord is not philanthropic, it's a business. This is a business licence process that all other businesses are obliged to conform to. — Scott H.
I agree with Rob Hilton. All costs incurred to a landlord are either a tax deduction or an expense that is passed on to the tenants. If a business runs in debt every month, how long will his finances hold out for the business? Sadly, there is the other side of it, too. Supply and demand have put rents up to ridiculous amounts. The food bank has pretty much doubled the amount of users. Some of that is due to loss of jobs or less hours at work. Some is due to huge rents if they are moving out of a rental unit that is going to be renovated or the house/apartment building is being sold. Sadly, our city doesn't seem to do anything about the bidding wars on rentals that I thought were illegal. I know the building we live in is up to $1,700 per month for a two-bedroom; $1,900 a month at some of the apartment buildings in Barrie. And house rentals are huge. Seniors are at a very high risk of becoming some of our huge homeless population. The pension that the people who are now retired, grew up thinking that Canada pension and OAS was a great thing as they were told that it would keep up with inflation and make you able to live in your own home with a livable pension. My generation was the first one to be warned to invest in our future as the government mishandled our pensions and we needed to invest in something to bump up the government pensions so we can live/survive. — Brenda S.
Why would there be "additional costs" for owners to be inspecting their own places or businesses that they rent out? They could do it at the same time that a city inspector does. Are you saying that some owners never go in and inspect their place — even once a year as is allowed, with notice? That is included in the costs of salary as a management company or, just as house owner. Trying to add on the cost of yearly inspections of your own property to the renter is obscene. It is a benefit to you so that you can decide whether the renter is taking decent care of your property or running it into the ground. Would you not want to know anyway? Do you not inspect your property anyway? Are owners afraid of not meeting legal codes? Tie it in with the city inspector's visit. This is your cost, not the renter's. You must meet the legal requirements of renting at any time — smoke detectors, electricity, plumbing, etc. — Pat N.
Oct. 19
Fears and concerns around Guelph's SCS 'don’t actually happen in reality,' says health official
Guelph's site is part of a community health clinic. It is in a retail area and is nowhere near any of the homes, let alone those of the council. People that live in Guelph say it is often a pig sty littered with needles, condoms and garbage that is cleaned up when visitors are come for a look at it, because of course they know in advance. It's fine to say what you offered — "nearly 300 referrals to social services such as employment, food and housing, and about 200 referrals for primary care services for acute, urgent or chronic medical issues." How many of them actually went to the appointments, stayed the course and stopped their addictions? Now, 5,500 visits from 149 people, 85 overdoses out of 149 people. I would be better to lock them up and put them into mandatory rehab. — Pat N.
Oct. 18
Enforcement against absentee landlords in east end could have 'significant benefits'
Will this policy result in anything other than yet higher rents in Barrie? Why is the city incapable of enforcing the existing bylaws instead of making it even more difficult for renters in town? Each move like this helps to turn Barrie more and more into a bedroom community for Toronto, since most Barrie wages can barely afford the rents as they are. — Doug C.
Perhaps the city could learn simple division and divide the total estimated cost, plus 10 per cent, divided by the 650 units and charge that for a license. No shortfall please. A notice for all absentee rentals to come forward by a certain date or face massive fines etc. so a true number is known. This will increase revenue to cover all locations. A deposit of say $1,000 or more to cover issues like poor maintenance, etc., should also be taken. This is not rocket science. — Ross G.
This is good, however the cost for the licence is going to be tacked onto the rent so tenant has to pay it driving up the rental costs even more. Also how is this policed? You only know it's a rental if someone complains. My street I just moved from had about 10 rentals. Two were registered and as a tenant in good standing who kept the unit immaculate we were subject to yearly inspection and hassled by the bylaw for having stuff in our garage. It's awesome to keep the landlords in check and problem tenants, but owners should have to buck up on the upkeep of their property as well. — Michelle P.
It’s a start, but this amount is less than half a month's average rent. Absentee landlords will laugh at it. If Barrie is serious make the licence $5,000. That would get the landlord's attention. A exception and small fee could be charged to those owning only one (other) house and who live elsewhere in Barrie, the 'little guy'. — Jayn M.
I own several properties in Barrie. I have invested their with my brother, who lives in Barrie, since 2010. We have always maintained our properties to the highest standard. We are now pulling out of Barrie, and Ontario in general. You cannot make a living here. The Residential Tenencies Act does not allow rent increases for this new cost we face. The Landlord and Tenant Board and Ontario government has let people live for free because of the pandemic. It is a total joke. I will likely lose my properties in China so that we get more absentee landlords and I get top dollar. I am done trying to help this province and their renters while the LTB screws us and the media acts like we are evil. We have been great landlords and have many renters come back to us. Lots of other places to invest. — Ian F.
Oct. 14
RVH fires 14 people, places 45 staff and four docs on unpaid leave over vaccine hesitancy
I have already asked this question. If there are doctors at RVH who are well informed about the COVID virus refusing to be vaccinated, what do they know that I don't know? — Linda S.
Oct. 13
RVH president 'over the moon' as hospital announces new south campus in Innisfil
Reading the names below the first photo reminds us that election fever is in the air — the list is thick with politicians, some whose jobs come up for grabs quite soon! — Peter B.
