January 31, 2006 -- The City of Toronto has launched an Apartment Standards website to enhance public access to information about rental apartment buildings in the city.

The new site (http://www.toronto.ca/apartmentstandards) posts details about compliance orders issued, their status, information about inspections, and other bylaw information.

The Apartment Standards website tracks multi-residential buildings containing four or more self-contained rental units. The site does not have information about properties that are rooming houses, rental condominium units, co-operative housing, row housing or bachelorettes.

"Property owners are responsible for complying with basic apartment standards, and tenants have a right to decent living conditions," said Mayor David Miller. "The new Apartment Standards website provides residents with access to information about buildings that have failed to comply with City bylaws, and allows tenants to register and track complaints."

The site contains information about multi-residential apartment buildings with a history of bylaw violations during the past two years. Personal information is not disclosed, such as the property owner's name or address, or the complainant's personal information.

"The new Apartment Standards website is an excellent source of information for tenants and prospective tenants," said Bill Blakes, Acting Director of Investigations, Municipal Licensing and Standards. "In addition to being able to search the history of a particular building, including details about bylaw violations and the status of an investigation, individuals will also have access to information about property standards bylaws, tenant protocol, frequently asked questions and how to file a complaint, 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

The Apartment Standards website also contains useful information about the responsibilities of property owners, tenants, and Municipal Standards Officers. It also includes contact information for Municipal Licensing and Standards District Offices.