Unit 6

Hi!
I’m here to share my experience living at The Wembley, a St Clair and Spadina building with lots of great character but also, a few challenges. I occupied the top floor unit in the corner tower and there was no shortage of issues through my tenancy.
To help you understand what you are getting into, let me break it down into two sections, the unit and the landlord.
The Unit:
This charming unit had me hooked in no time, lots of great space, beautiful views and a building with great character. That was all positive but it also came at a great cost. Due to the age of the building, the floors creek significantly, especially the corridor on the way to the washroom and kitchen. There is also a power post outside of the main bedroom that not only is pretty noisy but if you ask the landlord, she may accept it gave her a headache likely due to radiation. The original windows are beautiful but the wood is in bad shape and the drafts are hard to seal, there will be drafts even through the floor.
We had significant issues with water leaks, which I believe were just resolved after 6 months of permanent indoor raining. Finally, heating and cooling, extremely unreliable and there is little the building can do about it. The furnace was changed just a couple of years ago but the lines and vents are less than efficient and break often. I would not really consider the place to have air conditioning, the heating on the other hand works well but breaks often and doesnt easily compensate for the drafts.
Landlord:
When you start reading about the landlord, you will likely think I am out for lunch because there is no chance that this gracious lady would ever be conflictive, disrespectful or non trustworthy. Unfortunately, all of the above apply. If in doubt, take the time to ask anyone in the building, in fact, you will have to meet at least two other residents to be accepted as a tenant. Make sure you ask and decide for yourself based on their response. The truth, you will find yourself in the middle of huge conflicts. Our dear landlord is less than gracious dealing with difficult situations with either you, other residents of the property management company.
I did my best to maintain a positive and pleasant relationship with everyone and thought I was fairly successful, I bit tongue a few times and gave up some commitments made when the agreement was signed, yet, I still have to go to court to get situations resolved, something I never thought would happen when I thought I could trust the person I was dealing with.
My recommendation, do your homework, confirm the above with other residents and stay away and save yourself a constant headache (mine lasted two years). In case you fall in love with the fireplace and the beautiful views, make sure you do everything in writing and signed, everything! because believe it or not, there is a good chance situations will turn into I said, you said.
Situations will come out of nowhere shortly after you take possession, you are warned!