August 27, 2011 - As Ontario’s leading advocate for quality rental housing, the Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) is continually looking for ways to improve the quality of life of apartment dwellers and staff in the province.
The organization created the Certified Rental Building Program (CRBP) to help apartment-seekers locate professionally operated and maintained buildings. Landlords and apartment managers whose buildings are enrolled and qualify agree to maintain stringent standards.
Tenants also have responsibilities in keeping their quality of life healthy and vibrant. The push for environmental friendliness and healthier living has a place in the today’s rental residences and can be achieved in many ways with the help of renters.
Obeying the Smoke-Free Ontario Act of 2005 is one example. Under this Act, smoking is not allowed in the common areas of apartment buildings such as elevators, hallways, stairwells, parking garages, laundry rooms, lobbies and amenity spaces. Smoking in individual apartments is not regulated, but some renters today are choosing to smoke only outdoors on their balconies or outside the building.
“Respecting the rights of everyone, smokers and non-smokers alike, leads to a healthier, safer and more harmonious living environment for all,” says Mike Chopowick, director of Policy Matters, Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario.
Most people understand that outdoor air quality is affected by things such as smog and the exhaust from vehicles, but may not realize that indoor air can actually be a lot worse. This is because residents live in proximity to commonly used products that may be toxic and pollute the air that they breathe.
To avoid this scenario, tenants can do simple things such as switch to unscented cleaning products, and if they paint their walls, they can use low-VOC paints.
As time passes, we see new materials and techniques on the market that contribute to Greener, healthier, more sustainable living. Looking to the exterior, some buildings now have Green roofs with plant material that absorbs water and is easier on the city’s storm system.
Low-growing succulents are one example of plant life that helps. On some of these roofs, rainwater is collected to use for irrigating the landscaping. Plants and trees have a great impact on the environment in filtering toxins.
There may be spots around apartment buildings where well-placed trees can even provide shade and reduce cooling costs in the summer months, and switching to non-toxic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers for the building’s landscaping is to everyone’s benefit.
Over the past year, FRPO and the Greater Toronto Apartment Association (GTAA) have been assisting the Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA) to develop voluntary guidelines and associated educational resources to promote healthier apartment buildings.
As these guidelines are developed, they will be added to the Certified Rental Building Program (CRBP) that provides apartment-seekers with a tool to help find professionally operated and maintained buildings. Based in Toronto, the GTAA represents the interests of active and concerned firms participating in the multi-family rental housing industry.
Visit crbprogram.org and frpo.org
Ted Whitehead is director of Certification, Certified Rental Building Program (CRBP), Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO).