OLA in the Toronto Star: Is it better to rent with utilities

[Skitter]

Its rather ironic that the star admits rent increases arent even keeping up with heating costs: (they write)

"If you’re planning on staying in your apartment for several years, it could be more advantageous to have the heat included because annual rent increases will likely be less than the increase in energy costs."

"If you’re planning on staying in your apartment for several years, it could be more advantageous to have the heat included because annual rent increases will likely be less than the increase in energy costs."


-but nonetheless the star prints stories from that are constantly bashing landlords, telling us to "eat the costs" and implying that landlords are making huge profits: Micheal Prue wants us to put tenants up in hotels every time the tenant brings bedbugs into the apt, Cheri Dinovo thinks landlord licensing will be magically self-funding.

-yet the star DOES seem to know that rents arent keeping up with expenses, why dont they print THAT more often.

Perhaps the fact that rents dont keep up with operating expenses is the reason no one is building affordable housing anymore................now THAT would be useful story.

[Ken S]

Perhaps the fact that rents dont keep up with operating expenses is the reason no one is building affordable housing anymore................now THAT would be useful story.

Nevermind affordable housing. Why isn't hardly anyone building rental apt units anymore "affordable" or "profitable".....

[Hawk]

The secret is buy and flip. Cashflow in Ontario is far too risky and unreliable.

[rcole23]

It's just like Buddy Hackett's mother stated at dinner time "You have two choices, take it or leave it"

And don't bother asking to include utilities. That's like buying a car and asking the dealer to include a bottomless tank of gas.

[/quote]

I want endless gas, and how much is that bread?

Think you can throw in a rental unit?

Oh yea... Don't forget to cover my utilities, just in case the cost of heat rises...

Toronto Star