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A resident
is any individual living in a dwelling. Since different terms are
used in legislation and by sector groups to describe these individuals,
we use the term "resident" to encompass all the different terms.
A resident can be called any of the following terms:
| Tenant
| Tenant
is the most commonly used term. It is used throughout the Residential
Tenancies Act (RTA).
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| Household
| This term,
used in the Social Housing Reform Act, consists of
one or more residents occupying a unit or a house.
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| Member
| A member
is a person who lives in a co-op; membership in a co-op has
privileges and carries responsibilities defined in the Co-operative
Corporations Act and by the co-op's own bylaws.
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Three types of legislation exist
which determine residents' rights and responsibilities. One or more
of these may apply, depending on the type of housing in which residents
live and the type of rent they pay.
Residents who have questions
regarding their tenancy may discuss the situation with their housing
provider or refer to the appropriate legislation.
Legislation
Housing Services Act (HSA)
The HSA
provides a framework for service managers* to effectively administer
social housing programs. Within this framework, the HSA defines the
rules affecting rent-geared-to-income residents.
*Note: The service manager is the City of Toronto. Residential
Tenancies Act (RTA)
The RTA
is a provincial law that applies to most landlords and tenants in
the province.
The The
Landlord and Tenant Board ("The Tribunal"), an independent body
formed by the Government of Ontario, administers the RTA. The Landlord
and Tenant Board resolves disputes between landlords and tenants
and provides them with information concerning their rights and obligations
under the RTA.
For more information
on the Landlord and
Tenant Board and the RTA, contact the toll-free number at 1-888-332-3234
or 416-645-8080 during regular business hours.
The Co-operative
Corporations Act
Co-ops are legal
corporations and the Co-operative
Corporations Act is a provincial law which governs them. The Act
covers such areas as a co-op's incorporation, administration, financial
responsibility and the rights and responsibilities of its directors
and members. Which
legislation applies to whom?
Private
non-profit housing,
Toronto Community Housing Corp. |
Residents
paying rent-geared-to-income
Residents whose rent is geared to their income (RGI) pay a percentage
of their income for a unit. A subsidy is paid by one level of
government to cover the difference between what they pay and
the market rent.
| HSA,
RTA |
| Residents
paying market rent
| RTA |
| Co-operative
housing (Co-op) |
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Members
The majority of residents in this type of housing are members
of the co-op. Membership in a co-op offers privileges such
as the right to vote in co-op elections and on bylaws, and
to run for election to the board of directors.
Each co-op maintains its own bylaws, which are passed by the
membership and enforced by its board of directors.
| Co-operative
Corporations Act,
HSA
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Non-members
Some residents in the co-op are not members.
| RTA |
For more information
or to report errors on our Web site please contact us at socialhousing@toronto.ca
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