I read with interest the article regarding ACORN and the government over Bill-60. I am of the opinion the landlords already have too much control over rents, etc., and tenants have very little protection. I live in a fairly large apartment building where the landlord has recently installed computerized thermostats in everyone's apartments to help […]
I read with interest the article regarding ACORN and the government over Bill-60. I am of the opinion the landlords already have too much control over rents, etc., and tenants have very little protection.
I live in a fairly large apartment building where the landlord has recently installed computerized thermostats in everyone's apartments to help lower the cost of heat. Not only did they replace the living room thermostats, they moved them. This new thermostat now controls the heat for the entire apartment. I have been told that when the temperature in the living room reaches 23°C, the thermostat cuts the heat off for the bedrooms.
Unfortunately, not only did he replace the thermostat, he had it moved from an unimpeded area of the living room to the corner of my dining area, just behind the breaker panel, stove and hydro box in the kitchen. This thermostat has not gone below 24°C, and therefore, no baseboard heater will come on at all. I have had to have my whole dining area rearranged to get my 16 cu. foot upright freezer away from that wall in case it might be affecting the temperature, and I have had to repaint the entire wall after he finished (plastering was completed a month after the initial holes were cut in the walls to get at the wiring). His electrician was in my apartment on Thursday, Oct. 23, checked the system and declared there was nothing wrong, and yet I have no heat.
Since the City of Sarnia Bylaw Enforcement Office has told me that heating my place with my oven and clothes dryer is not safe, I went out on Friday, Oct. 31, and purchased two space heaters. Neither will heat the master bedroom. The breaker switch blows whenever the space heater is turned on in that room.
I am a senior, handicapped widow who has lived in this apartment for over 15 years. I need to have heat. But I am now researching apartments in other buildings at much higher rent. Why?
Anne McGowan
