Out of Control because there is No Control
It was only a few weeks ago when I was watching the 6 o'clock news on CBC. The broadcast had a segment on the rent control issue in Fort McMurray, Alberta and explained how it's getting completely out of control.
It stated that it costs more to live in this city then it does to live in both Toronto and New York City. Having lived here for over four months now, it comes to a shock to me. Not only comparing the beautiful cities of where I've lived in the past (Toronto and Ottawa), it's the fact that people are coming up with prices out of thin air. It's almost as if rent was an auction to the highest bidder.
The reason behind all this is because there are not many limitations to the tenant act of the Alberta province. It only states that landlords can raise the rent annually. Meaning, one year, you could be paying $700 a month and then, the following it could be jacked up to a whopping $1000.
Are landlords becoming greedier? Well, I've asked around. Some people will say that's the only way they can afford to live in their own house and others say that they'd rather just live for free because of the high demand of housing. A recent blog on ThePolitic.com by an anonymous person wrote, "Not having rent control in Alberta was great because if you didn't like your renters, you could get rid of them easily by hiking up the rent." I have no comment to this.
I'm still finding it hard to believe because I've lived in some very nice condos and apartments. And rent wasn't even half the price. For example, I spent one summer living in a downtown condo in Toronto. I lived on the 32nd floor of the World Trade Centre building. I had a really beautiful view of the Air Canada Centre and the CN Tower. Also, it had an indoor and outdoor pool, free gym membership and barbeque area. So, I get all these great amenities and here's the best part, it was only $700 to live.
Here, they over charge. You pay $1000 for a basement room in a shared accommodation. What a bunch of B.S. Check out the classifieds and you'll find that majority of people are asking for commuters. This means that not only are the charging a ton of cash, but they are also expecting the people to be living there half the time.
Sure, many people here laugh at these prices with the amount of money they make, not to mention the living allowances they receive, but I think it's a complete discrimination against the people that are living here making minimum wage.
The Alberta election is coming up and there are candidates looking to change this law. Unfortunately, I'll be missing out as I am still considered an Ontario resident. So, until then, I'll just have to wait and see how much people take this major concern into consideration.
~The Journals of D.
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