Bill 144, Real Rent Control

Bill 144, Real Rent Control

Investor · Windsor, Ontario · Member since 2016 · 18 posts · 9 votes

Hey BiggerPockets,

I wanted to reach out and see what the communities thoughts were on Bill 144, Real Rent Control. If you are not familiar, I included an excerpt from Cherry Chan below.

There are some really alarming changes for rent control. 

Thoughts and comments?

http://realestatetaxtips.ca/war-small-business-own...

Bill 144, Real Rent Control Act, 2017

“Lawful rent for new tenant

113 Subject to section 111, the lawful rent for the first rental period for a new tenant under a new tenancy agreement is,

(a) any amount that is equal to or less than the last lawful rent charged or that ought to have been charged to the previous tenant if the rental unit was previously rented in the last 12 months;

(b) with respect to a rental unit that has not been rented in the last 12 months, an amount that is equal to or less than the sum of,

(i) the last lawful rent charged or that ought to have been charged to the previous tenant,

(ii) all increases to the rent that the landlord would have been permitted to make under this Act if the rental unit had been occupied, and

(iii) all decreases to the rent that the landlord would have been required to make under this Act if the rental unit had been occupied; or

(c) the rent first charged to the tenant if the rental unit was not previously rented.” (Source.)

The new bill prevents any rent increase, other than the specific percentage allowed by the Ontario government, even after the previous tenants get out.  

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Investor · St. Thomas, Ontario · Member since 2015 · 692 posts · 312 votes
9y

When this passes, I sell everything residential and become purely a transactional investor (flips and wholesales) in the residential realm. I'd still hold commercial because that's where contracts and signatures actually mean something.

What's even the point of entering a business that has a declining profit margin projection?

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  • Investor · Front Royal, VA · Member since 2013 · 586 posts · 418 votes
    9y

    Hey @Account Closed I feel for you. You have it tough up there. It's unfortunate that this will ultimately hurt your residents. Good luck!

  • Investor · St. Thomas, Ontario · Member since 2015 · 692 posts · 312 votes
    9y

    When this passes, I sell everything residential and become purely a transactional investor (flips and wholesales) in the residential realm. I'd still hold commercial because that's where contracts and signatures actually mean something.

    What's even the point of entering a business that has a declining profit margin projection?

  • Investor · Windsor, Ontario · Member since 2016 · 18 posts · 9 votes
    9y

    @Matt Geerts 

     I couldnt agree more. My concern is regarding real estate prices if this goes through and everyone has the same idea to sell. 

    If inventory is suddenly flooded and investment properties are not so desirable, our resale obviously tanks. 

  • Investor · St. Thomas, Ontario · Member since 2015 · 692 posts · 312 votes
    9y

    double post

  • Investor · St. Thomas, Ontario · Member since 2015 · 692 posts · 312 votes
    9y

    I believe that you are correct for the short term. However, despite all the cries of "nobody can afford to live in Toronto" the fact is that Toronto has a 67% home ownership rate. Of course, a large percentage of those who don't own homes are in apartment buildings. So the only houses that may have any incentive to flood the market is the small number between the homeowners and the apartment dwellers: the house renters. 

    First, there will be a knee-jerk reaction, just like we're seeing right now with Kathleen Wynn messing around with the market, and with the puny 0.25% increase in rates. Then things will go back to "normal" because there wasn't really a huge affect on the market as a whole.

    So, either be faster than a knee-jerk, or take your time and sell when the news is forgotten.

  • Investor · Thamesford, Ontario · Member since 2016 · 17 posts · 2 votes
    9y

    Cherry Chan is my accountant.  You can have a listen on an interview on Mr Hamiltons (her husband) podcast  The Truth About Real Estate Investing For Canadians Episode Titled "More Tax For Us Investors".

    Its awesome that she is super pissed.  They did recommend contacting our MP's to at least not roll over and take it.  We have to try and fill up their inbox that we are far from happy about it.  We have until mid October to have our voices heard.

    @Matt Geerts

    @Nate Schaly

  • Investor · Windsor, Ontario · Member since 2016 · 18 posts · 9 votes
    9y

    @Warner L.

    I will have to listen to that, I didn't know her husband had a podcast.

    I have definitely reached out my local MP, here is to hoping it doesn't go through.

  • Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2016 · 334 posts · 215 votes
    9y
    I for one will not be writing to my mp. What the government doesn't understand is that the business world is smarter than they are. If this draconian bill passes I will simply change my investment focus to another city. Ask Los Angeles why Nissan moved to Tennessee and why Toyota packed up and moved to Texas.
  • Rental Property Investor · Tilbury, Ontario · Member since 2016 · 9 posts · 3 votes
    9y

    So even if we buy a property that is vacant but was rented for say $500/month 3 months before, we won't be able to set the new rent at market rent? We'd only be able to raise the rent by 1.5%/year?? 

  • Rental Property Investor · Toronto ON, Canada · Member since 2015 · 58 posts · 11 votes
    9y

    Saw a post of old news, Ontario minister of housing looks at strengthening protections for landlords, http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/landlord-tenant-board-rental-kingston-animals-1.3876870, I am not always in Ontario, so cannot tell. Folks, did you see any change made to protect landlords?

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