Discussions

I can see the utility companies not getting paid.

This is really upsetting to me - clearly he is going to increase the "Homelessness" Factor in our Province now - I am sickened to read what he is doing . . .

Sounds like tough break for you being unable to afford a home. Landlord's charge enough to cover the mortgage on the property and maintain the damage terrible tenants can cause.  
 
Don't like your landlord? Buy your own place

So...you're angry at landlords over this? And because of this change, you think that all landlords should either lower their rent or pay the utilities for you? Just wanting to clarify.

How is it my responsibility, or job as a human being (ie landlord), to ensure there is affordable housing? If I need to pay my bills, I will charge whatever I need to charge. Would you buy $1,000 worth of supplies to make a product and then sell the product for $600 and lose $400 just because someone needed it? I don't think so. You'd want to cover your costs, AT LEAST. If everybody broke even, or lost money EVERY month on a rental property, nobody would rent properties anymore. Rental properties are businesses, and businesses need to make money.

Garret said "Sounds like tough break for you being unable to afford a home. Landlord's charge enough to cover the mortgage on the property and maintain the damage terrible tenants can cause.     Don't like your landlord? Buy your own place "

Exactly, landlords are not to blame, if you can not afford it get a damn job!! Its about time the handouts stop...

Well a landlord cannot give out free housing can they? Everyone seems to think landlords are some sort of millionaires. Welfare is supposed to be a temporary hand out. Maybe they should also take away the health care benefits too and it would encourage more to start looking for work. Those with disabilities and so forth have also other venues to exhaust for funding. Maybe some life choices need to be changed such as having roommates and things like that.

Not to mention that I have had many renters over the years and at the start I included hydro in the rent. Well after 9 months it was obvious they were plugging space heaters into every room in the house, running the furnace with the windows open and leaving lights on (yes they told me they did this). My $150 hydro bill on EPP was hit with a $950 balance at the end of the year. Maybe if those on EI were forced to pay their own utilities they would realize the costs of these things instead of just letting the province foot the bill. Glad to see Pallister is putting his foot down!

"So my question to you Landlords is: "What kind of humanity action are you doing - implementing - to help Human Beings in finding Housing - to meet the Provincial Budget Standards of Rent Amount allowable - SET by the Premier of Manitoba???"  
 
I'm not sure how it could seem reasonable to anyone that the landlord should somehow now become responsible for paying any part of the tenants utilities, simply because the government has decided not to pay it. Rather than offloading our responsibilities to others, we should be working toward becoming self sufficient.

Jay hit the nail right on the head. People don't appreciate what they don't pay for

I tried to find confirmation on this and could not. When I Google EIA the information says payment is over 700 for a single adult. Not wanting to argue the amount but wondering where your getting your information please

If you think I'm gonna rent my place for $533 per month when I pay twice that for mortgage, taxes, insurance etc you're insane.

Maybe you should get a part time job to help pay the rest that you are NOT getting FREE...as I have a full time job to pay my rent and utilities.......WOW.....  
Poor landlords with people like you. All the landlords I have dealt with are awesome if you are the same to them!

This has to be a joke to get a reaction. Either that, or an excellent example of how society is creating a monster - a mass of 'entitled' human beings that think the world owes them because they can't be bothered to get off their butts to get what they want from life.  
 
You want something? You work for it. Someone worked for that house to rent it out and hopefully make a little bit of money for their time and trouble. Now you're expecting people to operate at a loss just to keep those who can't be bothered to get off welfare from becoming 'homeless'. Best way to not become homeless is to get off your a** and become a contributing member of society. Live with someone else. Figure out a way to offset costs.  
 
Welfare should be a TEMPORARY assistance for bad times. And we all have them. But as soon as you're able, you need to get off of assistance. You're already making money for doing nothing. Now you want housing subsidy on top of that money paid for by your average working joe landlord to keep a roof over your head. Ridiculous.  
 
No one appreciates what they don't earn. And it's evident in Jay's post where (s)he hit the nail on the head with the hydro comment. Drive around in the winter and look for open windows. Guaranteed those houses/apartments belong to people who do not pay their own utility bills. Or maybe just people who left their toast in the toaster too long

TEN, EI is a federal program (Employment Insurance). EIA is a provincial welfare system (Employment and Income Assistance).

landlords? It's not the landlords responsibility. Why don't you ask Manitoba Hydro what they are doing? Everybody hates landlords so much, but if there were none, there would be many more homeless. Seriously, enough landlord bashing.

Welfare is supposed to be used in an emergency situation, when you honestly cannot find a job and you need help. There's tons of rooms to rent for that price (even some basement suites!) ... And if your going to be homeless a room will do just fine. Why does someone living off welfare, not working, deserve to have a whole $1200 house when I'm working full time and still live in an apartment because I can't afford a house? Like I'm sorry to sound harsh, but if you want more work for it. I don't disagree with welfare at all... I understand things happen and at some point you may need help, but you should get the bare minimum just to keep you afloat until you find a job and can upgrade. Fast food restaurants are always hiring, so don't say you can't find a job.

. . . it is called "education" . . . all I am doing is bringing an issue forward - don't assume you know me and attack me - this is not personal, it is for conversation/education sake. Thanks for contributing - but do realize why there is "Homelessness" within our Community.  
 
. . . carry on -

That is an unfortunate piece of legislation if that is accurate. It is not up to landlords to provide for cuts in EI, Workers Comp, welfare or CPP.  
 
it is not up to landlords to provide anything to anyone except safe housing accomadation.  
 
the last time I looked this was a democratic and somewhat free enterprize country.  
 
a landlord puts up his down payment money and take out a mortgage on a property in order to make some sort of profit for his efforts and investment.  
 
even at the low interest rates of today if a landlord buys a home worth 200,000 puts down 20% and take on a 160 000 mortgage his payments to own that property will be around 760.00 plus taxes at about 200 per month, so now you have 960 per month.. add in a bit of cushion for necessary ongoing repairs to the property, say $100 per month that goes to a reserve fund that will pay for new flooring, paint, counter top, fixtures and shingles as they wear out now your at $1060. no utilities yet,  
 
but what about his profit to take home.. his is doing this for the good of his health which means he needs a profit to take home. and he has yet to be compensated for his original input of $40,000 to make the whole thing happen, if he put down less then the payments are going to be higher. or buys a better house  
 
this is a single family home but the same applies to any property.  
 
it is what the market will bear in a free enterprize system. The Gov't already has rent control caps, to go further and dictate rent rates for all rentals then where is the motivation for landlords to buy and maintain property.  
 
besides that we already have the Gov't fingers in property ownership through manitoba housing. so they can deal with the fall out of this new legislation.

A Weathered Heart said "Whatthewhat...     I understand sharing this information for conversation sake, but you very much seemed to have targeted landlords in your initial post... as if this is their fault.     Everything is going to go up in price. Which means, landlords in order to pay the payments on the property, upkeep and maintenance on their buildings, covering damages by bad tenants - they will have to charge more. i:nclude the low vacancy rate in the city, and they can charge even more to boot.     To blame the landlords for homelessness is silly, they're not to blame for homelessness. There are SO many factors as to why it exists.     Edited by A Weathered Heart, 2016-06-23 16:13:56"

reading these replies gives a clear indication as to the "Attitudes" that locals have towards others in our Society. I am finding that quite interesting as well.

There is also quite a bit of 'attitude' in the original post!

People on disability and welfare, it means finding a new place to live or having utilities i:ncluded in rent. The $533.00 or so is what they get for buying groceries for the month etc. Rent aide is about $350.00. If you are on welfare you can't really make much more than about $100.00 more or they charge you and take away double almost from your assistance. If your on disability you probably can't work. Again broken system of people. Next they will be saying they won't subsidize people with children, I mean that's a choice, to have children. But I don't have any children so why should I pay for them to be subsidized? Just saying. They don't always choose to be disabled or not always get the job.

Garret said "Sounds like tough break for you being unable to afford a home. Landlord's charge enough to cover the mortgage on the property and maintain the damage terrible tenants can cause.     Don't like your landlord? Buy your own place "

I do own a home and got in, in 2001, before prices went crazy.  
 
Tell me how, a person making say $15 an hour and living in a $800 rental is going to save to buy their first home, here in Brandon. Not only do you need the percentage down, you need proof of house insurance paid for, lawyers bill, do you have a lawnmower? You know dam well, people just can't go out and buy their own places.  
 
I also rented while working full time and always was respectful to my landlord and the rules and he/she was respectful towards me.  
 
As for welfare, all should be tested for drugs and alcohol. Instead of money for food, they should be given coupons to make sure they buy food.

Just an FYI. EI is Employment Insurance. And EIA is Employment and Income Assistance aka "welfare"

it's unfortunate if there are cuts and some can no longer afford their homes but I fail to see how it is the landlords problem. Why shoukd a landlord cut his rent to make up the cut in welfare payments? If a landlord has to take a loss on rent he is probably going to sell the house and be done with it. If more people quit renting out places where does that leave those people who have to rent because they cannot afford to own?  
 
Sadly I know people who believe that welfare is a reliable income source -once they get welfare money they have no intention of looking for a job. I cannot feel sorry for them if they can no longer afford their rent-able bodied people that choose not to work create their own problem. Those that cannot work and truly need the assistance are in a different category from those others.

whatthewhat said " I am opening this discussion to bring it forward of the changes that will be implemented as of July 1 - 2016 - for Provincial Rental coverage for anyone who is finding themselves on the Provincial EI system.     Please be advised that as of July 1 - the Provincial Government will NO longer be paying the Utilities for anyone receiving Budget funding to cover their Rent Costs. It seems the "Allowable amount to be paid out" - for 1 individual on EI [Welfare] is budgeted at the amount of $533.00 and that is too i: &#105:nclude UTILITIES - - -     So my question to you Landlords is: "What kind of humanity action are you doing - implementing - to help Human Beings in finding Housing - to meet the Provincial Budget Standards of Rent Amount allowable - SET by the Premier of Manitoba???     I realize many of you think that charging Rent in the amounts grossly exceeding this $533.00 [i:ncludes Utilities] - and wonder what makes you want to be a part of causing more Homelessness in Brandon, and the Province of Manitoba. What makes you think that it is "Canadian" to treat Renters the way you do???     Clearly Pallister is NOT focusing on "helping the most Vulnerable" in this Province - and I just wonder what roll backs do the Landlord now receive from Pallister - if any??? Are you aware of this change??? And lastly, how do you JUSTIFY treating the Disabled/Elderly/Sick/Healing Renters who are needing Housing??? by so grossly overcharging your Rent amounts???     Please address my questions - I am open to hearing any opinion on this.     Thank you for contributing.     Edited by whatthewhat, 2016-06-23 13:41:44 Edited by admin, 2016-06-23 15:45:03. Reason: Change of title to be more specific of topic"

Whatthewhat...you asked for your questions to be addressed, so I will do that:  
 
The 'humanity action' the landlords are doing, and have been doing since they became landlords is putting there own personal money out to purchase a place for others to live for a fee. They risk their own money to allow people to live in places they own. It's a great risk, and rarely has large rewards. They often are left holding bag when tenants move out without notice, or do damage to the rental. Although rent seems high to some, they are not getting rich. Most days they would get better returns in other types of investments.  
 
Landlords are actually part of the solution to homelessness. Many many people would be homeless if not for landlords. These people don't have money for a down payment to purchase a house. Maybe they have bad credit and can't get a mortgage. Thankfully landlords don't require a large down payment or a clean credit record before they allow someone to live in their buildings.  
 
They can easily justify what they charge for rent. They have mortgage payments to make, property taxes to pay, unlimited repairs due to damage from tenants or just things needing replacing due to age. Many many renters are lucky that landlords chose to invest their money in rental properties vs the like of mutual funds, where they could probably make more. When you factor in risk of being a landlord they could afford to get into some risky investments that overtime would pay off. Then when the house is paid off they will finally see better returns, you know until they sell and give a lot to the government due to personal gains.  
 
I don't know your personal situation, but I am awfully tired of able bodied people sitting around waiting for others to look after them and then complain that they don't get enough. Maybe if those people were made to look after themselves, those that can't look after themselves could get more money from the government. There is only so much money, and when any of it goes to people who don't need or deserve it, it takes away from those that do.

I received this letter also but because I was only on EIA for 1 month I just skimmed through it. My understanding of it was that utilities will still be paid (any amount owed) so long as you have it set up that way. If you have it set up that you receive money on your cheque (ie $200) and pay yourself it will stay that way you cannot change it, and that amount will also not change no matter if your hydro is $100 or $500. I don't see how this will bring about any major change in homelessness. It just means people will have to start caring about how much hydro they use and learning to budget to pay the bills. Of course I'm not sure how this works with utilities i:ncluded in rent like I said I just skimmed through it.

JJ123 said "I received this letter also but because I was only on EIA for 1 month I just skimmed through it. My understanding of it was that utilities will still be paid (any amount owed) so long as you have it set up that way. If you have it set up that you receive money on your cheque (ie $200) and pay yourself it will stay that way you cannot change it, and that amount will also not change no matter if your hydro is $100 or $500. I don't see how this will bring about any major change in homelessness. It just means people will have to start caring about how much hydro they use and learning to budget to pay the bills. Of course I'm not sure how this works with utilities i:ncluded in rent like I said I just skimmed through it. "

See, I am presenting this for discussion, to bring AWARENESS to our community. I see a need to bring this issue forward, as this is one change Pallister is making now - which will influence alot of people living in our community - which will i:nclude Landlords as well as the members of our society who are finding themselves having to rely on these social programs.  
 
I realize that this topic would insight many emotions, and that seems to be what most are sharing here.  
 
Thank you for contributing, you are helping with the AWARENESS factor of why I posted this.  
 
And thank you "Weathered Heart" for sharing that document - that too assists in bringing this issue forward more precisely. But I wonder, lets say someone living with a Mental Illness, how would they decipher that letter? Is it clearly outlined? Is it puzzling to understand?  
 
See, this is why I bring up issues for discussions -  
 
And "Never Give Up" - thank you for addressing my questions precisely - I appreciate your input - it is nice to read posts showing some compassion.  
 
Edited by whatthewhat, 2016-06-24 07:28:37

Brenda said "    Garret said "Sounds like tough break for you being unable to afford a home. Landlord's charge enough to cover the mortgage on the property and maintain the damage terrible tenants can cause.     Don't like your landlord? Buy your own place " I do own a home and got in, in 2001, before prices went crazy.     Tell me how, a person making say $15 an hour and living in a $800 rental is going to save to buy their first home, here in Brandon. Not only do you need the percentage down, you need proof of house insurance paid for, lawyers bill, do you have a lawnmower? You know dam well, people just can't go out and buy their own places.     I also rented while working full time and always was respectful to my landlord and the rules and he/she was respectful towards me.     As for welfare, all should be tested for drugs and alcohol. Instead of money for food, they should be given coupons to make sure they buy food. "

at he end of your post.  
 
I have a friend who says 'I cannot afford to own a house, that's why I rent'  
 
I find it difficult to accept how some people get so much financial assistance from the three levels of government to be able to own a house.  
 
Houses are a never-ending source of expense. Why should taxpayers help people OWN homes? What's next, vehicles?