The Province of Ontario has passed legislation that requires municipalities to enact bylaws dealing with basement apartments. Naturally, such apartments already exists in the tens of thousands – including about 35,000 in the City of Mississauga alone – but as illegal and unregulated rental units or “second suites” as they’ve been designated.
The provincial legislation lets municipalities draft their own bylaws, recognizing that each will have specific needs and issues to address. The move has been seen as a plus for municipalities and tenants alike.
It provides an immediate response to the crisis in affordable housing, with a 21-year waiting list for subsidized housing (!) and not much else that’s affordable in Mississauga, in common with most of the GTA and Southern Ontario as a whole.
Tenant Protection & Safety
On the tenant’s side, the move provides for improved access to affordable housing as well as an assurance of safer housing, including from an environmental perspective. The City of Mississauga anticipates hiring hundreds of employees to inspect for mold, smoke detectors and other standards.
It’s certainly encouraging that there has been immediate recognition that mold poses potential dangers to renters, and those living in basements in particular. Whether you’re a basement apartment tenant or a home or building owner, the basement is a prime location for mold growth and infestation for a number of reasons.
- Dampness can be chronic from occasional flooding, sewer backups and other sources
- Inadequate ventilation, often in crawl spaces, means that any moisture lingers and creates the ideal conditions for mold to flourish
- Water can leak in from cracks in the foundation or flooring
Get Expert Help
Do you notice a persistent, musty odour in your home? Have you experienced respiratory systems or headaches that just won’t go away? Then you should call in the experts right away for an inspection.
Get help from the experts at MoldInspections.ca. Please call us for a hassle-free quote today.
MoldInspections.ca is the trusted leader for mold-free homes and breathable indoor air spaces in Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and beyond. Providing certified mold inspection, detection and testing since 2005, we service home owners, real-estate agents, landlords, property managers, insurance companies and businesses. Featured on CTV and recommended by contractors, we regularly serve as expert witnesses in court proceeding relating to Mold and Indoor Air Quality issues. Do you have mold? Call us today for a free quote at (416) 575-6111.
