Description

Ashley Manor is our home and a very active senior’s building.

When we first heard “through the grapevine” that we had a new Property Manager, we had some hope that the many issues in Ashley Manor would be dealt with. We were disappointed a meeting wasn’t set up to meet us, or at the very least be advised of his appointment. We took a petition outlining our concerns and hand delivered it to Kevin Bradley, Property Manager of Ajax Municipal Housing on April 20, 2012. We requested a meeting in our Common Room where we could meet him, and discuss the answers to our many issues. We have had a few meetings with him since that time and our tenants remain unsatisfied.

At a previous Question and Answer meeting on August 9, 2011, we met with Adene Kuchera, Acting Property Manager, the Tenant Co-ordinator and Oliver Forbes, Board of Directors. Oliver stressed the fact that “communication” was key, yet we still have a “lack of communication”.

Some Issues:

The hallway extractor fans have not been working for several months. A tenant called the Health Department and was referred to the By-Law Department. They looked into it with Ajax Municipal Housing and were advised they would be fixed in three to six months at a cost of $30,000. There are many tenants at Ashley Manor who have asthma and respiratory problems and three to six months is a lengthy time to wait. I don’t understand why the By-Law Department accepted AMHC’s response, especially since we live in a senior’s building.

Although we used to have a Superintendent, we now have Floater Superintendents who are in and out. Since this is a “senior’s building” there are emergencies that occur, especially with our very elderly tenants that need to be dealt with immediately. Not being able to contact a Superintendent or not getting through to an emergency number is not an option.

AMHC expects our tenants to let them know when inside and outside lights go out, etc. That is not our role!

Kitchen and bathroom cupboard doors are constantly coming off their hinges and need to be repaired. A tenant requested a new bathroom sink since part of the enamel has a big chip out of it. She was told she didn’t need a new one!

Outside parking areas should be repaired, as there are many potholes.

Tenants wait weeks to have Work Orders processed and so many of us need work orders the forms run out.

In the summer the entrance to Ashley Manor was such an eye sore that a tenant was so frustrated she tidied it up herself.

There are problems with many toilets. One very ill tenant was waiting three months to have her toilet fixed. The water in the toilet tank wouldn’t fill up which meant the lid had to be left off and she and her husband had to fill the tank with water to flush the toilet. Another couple was told not to use their toilet for the weekend!!!!!

Carpets in elevators are filthy and dust hasn’t been cleaned from fan of elevator for months contributing to problems for tenants with respiratory problems. In fact, a light bulb was changed yesterday in the elevator ceiling and the dust remains! Elevator hand railings and floor number buttons are never cleaned. These are areas where germs congregate! A tenant has started cleaning them!!!

Casual person vacuums, cleans lobby and hallways first thing
In morning. She does her best but she is only in our building
for the most 2 hours in the morning. Snow and dirt is tracked in
throughout the day. No cleaning done on weekend. Embarrassed for friends to see where we live.

Our Common Room is outdated, circa 1980’s, the carpet is old and dirty. We were promised new chairs and we are still waiting, although AHMC approved their purchase two or three years ago.

Ashley Manor was built in 1984, is a 6-storey hi-rise apartment with 77 units, 49 one bedrooms and 28 two bedrooms. Our rent for a two bedroom apartment was increased $28.00 in January 2012 to $951.00 and $24.00 in January 2013 to $975.00.

There are many other issues that I am sure other tenants will advise you of.

Ashley Manor is our home and we take great pride in it. I wish Ajax Municipal Housing Corporation would!!!

February 28, 2013

Carol Justice