Unfair property taxes on rental buildings

The issue of how rental property buildings that contain more than 7 units are taxed should be of great concern to both landlords and tenants.

Here is the bottom line:

Approximately fifty percent of Toronto residents are renters. Yet, the City of Toronto has declared war on tenants. Did you know that rental buildings that have more than seven units are taxed at a punitive rate? If you are a tenant in a one bedroom apartment, your unit may be taxed at approximately the same rate as many detached houses. Sure, your landlord pays the tax. But the landlord passes the tax on to you as part of your rent. The tenant culture has always blamed landlords for high rents. The city of Toronto is responsible for your high rents. Why should tenants (who have on average less money) pay higher property taxes than many home owners (who have statistically more money)? During my life I have been homeowner, small landlord and a tenant. No matter how I look at this, it is unfair.
For the differential in rates see:
http://www.toronto.ca/taxes/property_tax/tax_rates.htm

For more information on this issue see:
http://www.ontariotenants.ca/taxes/toronto-property-taxes.phtml

 

Remember that higher costs to landlords means higher rents for tenants.

Ontario Tenants should complain!!

 


2 thoughts on “Unfair property taxes on rental buildings”

  1. John Furr

    To put the disparity into perspective, Multi-Unit Properties save the city substantial money on the cost of providing services that must be provided on a property by property basis, water and waste water (sewer) connections and infrastructure, waste management, sidewalk snow clearing etc.

    As such, these properties should pay less taxes because they save the city money, yet the opposite is true. A typical 30-40 year old hi-rise Apartment with 150 units might pay as high as $42,000 in annual property taxes.

    Reply ↓

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