A group of tenants at multiple apartment buildings in High Park are expressing their concerns regarding ongoing heating issues, particularly as they endure bitterly cold temperatures. Many residents, including Diana Jardine, have reported inadequate heating in their units, with indoor temperatures dropping to as low as 16 C. Jardine stated that she has been forced to purchase a space heater after the building management notified tenants that they were in the process of changing the boilers.
Jardine explained her current living situation, mentioning that she has moved into a smaller bedroom to stay warm, indicating that she is not alone in her predicament. Another unnamed tenant, who is currently pregnant, shared her struggles with insufficient heat in her apartment. She has resorted to using tape to seal gaps in her windows to block cold air but finds this is not enough, as the power in her unit may cut out if too many space heaters are in use. This tenant expressed distress about being unable to occupy her primary bedroom due to the cold, leaving her to sleep on the couch instead.
The situation comes at a concerning time, as a yellow cold warning was issued for Toronto, with overnight lows expected to plummet between -14 C and -21 C throughout the week. Residents have indicated that these heating issues are not isolated to a single building; rather, multiple buildings within the Grenadier Square apartment complex, managed by GWL Realty Advisors Residential, are experiencing similar problems. Though management has offered space heaters, tenants report that communication regarding the issues has been lackluster, and they have received no concrete timeline for when the heating problems will be addressed.
Another tenant discussed wearing layers typically reserved for outdoor wear inside their apartment due to the low indoor temperatures. He reported that even with a space heater running, the temperature gauge in his unit only reached 18 C. GWL Realty Advisors have acknowledged the heating issues and have assured residents that their maintenance team and external technicians are working diligently on the problem. According to a statement issued by the management, while many units have returned to normal temperatures, full heating performance across all four buildings is still being pursued.
GWL Realty Advisors emphasized that they are in direct contact with residents and are providing regular updates about the situation. They highlighted that resident comfort and safety are their top priorities, and they appreciate the patience of the tenants as efforts continue to resolve the heating issues. Despite these reassurances, many tenants remain anxious about their living conditions as the cold weather persists.
