Olivia Chow campaigns for Dinesafe-like grading system

How would you like to see rental properties flagged with a green, yellow or red flag as the city's quality assurance program for identifying the condition of the apartment – from well-run to issue-riddled?

Dinesafe is Toronto Public Health’s food safety program that inspects all establishments serving and preparing food. Based on the results, the restaurant is provided with a green, yellow or red notice that is to be placed by their main entrance. Mayoral candidate, Olivia Chow has proposed a similar type of procedure for apartment buildings. Chow appeared in East York on Monday, along with local councillor Janet Davis, where she explained that regulators should provide a mandatory assessment of all apartment buildings and rank them based on their living conditions. The notice with the building's ranking would then be placed by their main entrance.

Prospective renters could walk into an apartment building and know right off the bat whether the establishment is flawed or in good repair. In addition to the notice, Chow has pledged to create a smartphone app where renters could research a particular building.

Information about living condition of apartment buildings is currently available to renters; however, it’s the extent to which renters have to search that poses a problem. They may need to navigate a complicated website or search for reviews. According to Chow, the smartphone app and notices would alleviate the problem.

Moreover, Chow has guaranteed to increase the number of building inspections, have the government do the repairs and add the costs to the property manager’s property tax amount. If property managers or landlords fail to meet these requirements, there will be legal repercussions put in place.