<img src="https://i.imgur.com/AY4zH1W.png"/>
Author: Openroom HQ

Published: Monday, August 21, 2023 | Updated: Monday, August 21, 2023

---

When you see something that looks like it could be mold, get on it - ASAP. 

What you might not know is that mold can grow on any organic matter. This microscopic fungus can thrive on your clothing, floors, walls, or paper. 

As a Tenant living in the rental unit, it is your responsibility to notify the Landlord of any mold growth as soon as possible because it's a health and safety concern for you. You don't want to end up sick.

As a Landlord, it's important to attend to mold inquiries from Tenants as soon as soon as possible because it's impacting health and safety.

## How does mold come about?
- Water leaks
- Condensation
- Flood damage
- Airborne spores
- Food

## Dangers of mold over time
- Respiratory issues
- Eye irritation
- Allergic reactions
- Infections
- Structural damage to your home

## Top areas where mold could growth
- Bathroom
- Kitchen
- Laundry rooms
- Basements
- Attic
- Behind walls

## As a Landlord, some tips before you call a Technician:
- Take photos
- Inspect the property
- Identify the source of moisture
- Ventilate the area
- Clean the area
- Dispose of the contaminated materials

If you have followed these tips and you still think you have mold, you should call a technician to have the mold removed.

---

## 5 Companies used by the Openroom team

<ContactCard link="https://homestars.com/companies/2790312-the-mold-guy"
company="The Mold Guy, Mold Detection & Removal"
email=""
phone="Toronto: 416-333-2999 | GTA: 289-233-6653"
hours=""
address="437 Roncesvalles Ave. Suite 420 Toronto, ON M6R 3B9"
area="Mold Inspections and mold removal in Acton, Ajax, Barrie, Brampton, Brantford, Bolton, Burlington, Caledon, Etobicoke, Georgetown, Vaughan, Hamilton, King City, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, Milton, Newmarket, North York, Oakville, Orangeville, Oshawa, Pickering, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Scarborough, Stouffville, Woodbridge, Whitby. | Primarily Toronto but they’ll go the extra kilometer if necessary"
stars="9.8/10 out of 672 reviews on HomeStars"
/>
 

<ContactCard link="https://homestars.com/companies/2782716-allmax-home-inspection"
company="AllMax Home Inspection"
email="info@allmaxhome.ca"
phone="1-877-228-1537"
hours=""
address="7851 Dufferin St., Suite 500 Thornhill, Ontario L4J 3M4"
area="Greater Toronto Area"
stars="9.9/10 of 852 reviews on HomeStars"
/>
 

<ContactCard link="https://homestars.com/companies/2776893-templar-environmental-services"
company="Templar Environmental Services"
email=""
phone="416-209-4857 | 1-866-505-4857"
hours=""
address="1595 16th Avenue, Suite 301, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3N9"
area="Greater Toronto Area"
stars="9.9/10 of 434 reviews on HomeStars"
/>
 

<ContactCard link="https://homestars.com/companies/2889256-quantum-home-inspections"
company="Quantum Home Inspections"
email="info@quantumhomeinspections.ca"
phone="416 844-0747"
hours=""
address="9235 Jane St. Suite 103, Maple, Ontario L6A-0J8"
area="Greater Toronto Area"
stars="9.9 10 of 144 reviews on HomeStars"
/>
 

<ContactCard link="https://homestars.com/companies/2775914-inchbyininspections"
company="Inch By Inch Inspections, Asbestos And Mold Detection And Removal"
email="info@inchbyinchinspections.com"
phone="416-568-9702"
hours="10/10 of 246 reviews on HomeStars"
address="6-6150 Hwy 7, Suite 424 Vaughan, Ontario L4H 0R6"
area="Serving Toronto and GTA | Toronto, Burlington, Mississauga, Oakville, Vaughan, Hamilton, Etobicoke, Scarborough"
stars="10/10 of 246 reviews on HomeStars"
/>
 


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Enjoyed this and want more? Send us a note with your feedback, a 🙌, or suggestions on what else we can write about! You can reach us at [hello@openroom.ca](mailto:hello@openroom.ca).

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/K5UV3bt.png"/>
Author: Openroom HQ

Published: Thursday, August 3, 2023 | Updated: Thursday, August 3, 2023

---

When owning a home, there will definitely be times when you need a plumber who knows what they are doing.

As a Tenant living in the rental unit, it is your responsibility to notify the Landlord of the water issues as soon as possible because water damages can get costly over time. You don't want to be accused of negligence.

As a Landlord, it's important to repair your home before further damages occur and prevent costly fixes. When it’s a water issue, there may be different levels of severity. Depending on whether it impedes health and safety, it is the duty of the landlord to make sure it is taken care of within a reasonable amount of time.

 
## For Landlords: Recommended time to respond

1. **Priority 1**: Health and safety concern for Tenants. Time to fix the issue should be ASAP within 24 hours.

2. **Priority 2**: Damage to house. At the discretion of Landlords. Recommended time to fix the issue is 72 hours.

3. **Priority 3**: Minor Leaks. At the discretion of Landlords, ideally before it becomes a larger issue. Recommended time to fix the issue is 1 week.


## Example of common leaks

- Whole House Meter Check for Leaks

- Water Supply Line Leaks

- Faucet, Shower, and Tub Leaks

- Toilet Leaks

- Whole House Humidifier Leaks

- Evaporative Cooler Leaks

- Pool and Fountain Leaks


## Example common issues with plumbing

- Frozen pipes

- Burst pipes

- Toilet change

- Clogged sink or toilet

- Backwater valve installation

- Clogged drains


It’s always best to engage a few companies to get a general quote virtually before you make a decision.


 
## Tips for tenants:

- As soon as you notice it, notify the Landlord

- Take photos and/or videos of the water issue, send it to your Landlord. The more evidence you collect and provide, the sooner the landlord and the plumber can address the issue.

- If possible and safe, turn off the water supply causing the leak

- Provide some times you are most comfortable with an inspection and then the actual fix. Occassionally, the Landlord may want to do an inspection prior to calling the plumber directly. Remember, based on the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) rules, you do not need to be present when the inspection, or when the fix is done, as long as there has been 24 hours of notice.

 
## Tips for landlords:

- Conduct your own inspection

- If it warrants a fix that you or tenant cannot fix, call a professional plumber

- Have photos and videos of the water issue

- Explain the situation briefly

- Coordinate a time for the plumber to resolve the issue

---

## 5 Companies used by the Openroom team

<ContactCard link="https://homestars.com/companies/2885579-award-plus-plumbing?searched_category_id=419&service_area=2089717"
company="Award Plus Plumbing"
email="info@awardplus.ca"
phone="416-616-7520"
hours="Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm EST"
address="18 Cedarcroft Blvd, North York, ON, M2R 2Z2"
area="Services the GREATER TORONTO AREA (GTA): Toronto, Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke | REGION OF PEEL: Mississauga, Brampton | YORK REGION: Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, King |HALTON REGION: Oakville, Milton"
stars="10/10 across 570+ reviews on Homestars | 4.9/5.0 across 38+ Google Reviews"
/>
 

<ContactCard link="https://homestars.com/companies/2773989-strong-plumbing-co"
company="Strong Plumbing Inc."
email="contact@strongplumbinginc.com"
phone="416-258-4068"
hours=""
address="18 King St East - Suite #1400, Toronto, ON, M5C 1C4"
area="Services all Greater Toronto Area and surroundings"
stars="10/10 out of 1710 reviews on Homestars"
/>
 

<ContactCard link="https://homestars.com/companies/2877613-dima-plumbing"
company="Dima Plumbing"
email="Social Media @dimaplumbing"
phone="647-2899-576"
hours=""
address="25 Pamgrey Rd, Markham, ON, L6E 0B2"
area="Services Toronto And Surrounding Areas – Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Woodbridge, Markham, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Newmarket, Aurora, North York, Toronto, Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa – and the entire GTA."
stars="10/10 out of 782 reviews on Homestars"
/>
 

<ContactCard link="https://homestars.com/companies/2854260-the-great-plumbing-co"
company="The Great Plumbing Co"
email=""
phone="416-446-0909"
hours="24/7"
address=""
area="Servies Toronto • North York • Richmond Hill • Markham • Leaside • Oakville • Brampton • Ajax • Pickering • Vaughan • Scarborough • Etobicoke • Thornhill • East York"
stars="9.9/10 out of 435 reviews on HomeStars | 4.9/5.0 of 120 reviews on Google Reviews"
/>
 

<ContactCard link="https://homestars.com/companies/2773030-waterworks-plumbing-ltd"
company="Waterworks Plumbing & Drains"
email=""
phone="416-483-1113 | 647-691-0022"
hours=""
address=""
area="Services Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Burlington, Etobicoke, Markham, Scarborough, North York, Maple, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Woodbridge"
stars="4.7/5 out of 172 reviews on Google Reviews | 9.7/10 of 2138 reviews on HomeStars"
/>
 

---

Enjoyed this and want more? Send us a note with your feedback, a 🙌, or suggestions on what else we can write about! You can reach us at [hello@openroom.ca](mailto:hello@openroom.ca).

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/gXqeUtj.png"/>
Author: Openroom HQ

Published: Tuesday, August 29, 2023 | Updated: Tuesday, August 29, 2023

---
## 🐛 🐜 🦟 🪲 🪳 🐀

## What is Pest & Animal Control?
Enter the Epic Battle of Pest and Animal Control! This dynamic practice wrangles critters that threaten both humans and property. Picture a lineup of crafty insects, mischievous rodents, and even the grand entrance of deer and raccoons.

## When do you call Pest & Animal Control?
You should call pest and animal control if you have a pest or animal problem that you cannot handle yourself. Some signs that you may need pest or animal control include:

- You see signs of pests or animals, such as droppings, nests, or tracks.
- You hear noises that you cannot identify.
- You smell a foul odor.
- You are bitten or stung by a pest.
- You are having problems with your home or property such as damage to walls or furniture.

 
## Common pests in the home:
- *Insects*: Ants, cockroaches, spiders, termites, bedbugs, fleas, mosquitoes
- *Rodents*: Mice, rats, squirrels, rabbits
- *Animals*: Stray dogs, cats, deer, raccoons, skunks

**Aside: Did you know?** 
"On average, each house hosted 62 different arthropod families, for an average of 93 different species per home. Some homes had as many as 211 species." ([Vox Media](https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2016/1/23/10815572/insects-species-home))

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/NRagSr3.png"/>
 
## What a technician can do for you - an example of pest controlling bedbugs

A pest control technician can do a variety of things to help you with your pest or animal problem. They can identify the pest or animal, assess the severity of the problem, and recommend treatment options. They can also apply pesticides or other treatments to control the pest or animal.

For instance, in battling bedbugs, a technician meticulously examines your residence, pinpointing infestations and eggs. They propose tailored treatments like heat or chemical solutions.

## As a landlord, consider these steps before summoning a technician:
1. Thorough property inspection
2. Meaningful Tenant discussion
3. Visual documentation
4. Engage a qualified expert for comprehensive assistance.

---

## 5 Companies used by the Openroom team

<ContactCard link="https://homestars.com/companies/2564133-pesticon-pest-control-inc"
company="Pesticon Pest Control"
email="info@pesticon.com"
phone="1-416-839-1097"
hours=""
address="100 Rexdale Blvd, Unit 301-G, Etobicoke, ON, M9W 1N7"
area="Operates in Toronto and all parts of the GTA | Ajax, Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Etobicoke, Cambridge, Hamilton, Kitchener, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, Scarborough, North York, Oakville, Pickering, Toronto, Vancouver, Vaughan, Woodbridge, Waterloo"
stars="9.8/10 of 2284 reviews on HomeStars | 4.8/5.0 over 500 reviews on Google Reviews"
/>
 

<ContactCard link="https://homestars.com/companies/2783550-pestend-pest-control-services"
company="Pestend Pest Control"
email=""
phone="416-319-5880 | TOLL FREE: 1-855-749-9203"
hours=""
address="415 Oakdale Rd. Toronto, ON M3N 1W7"
area="Serving Toronto & Southern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area | Toronto, Vaughan, Mississauga, Brampton, Bradford, Barrie"
stars="9.7/10 of 1423 reviews on HomeStars"
/>
 

<ContactCard link="https://homestars.com/companies/2774042-swat-wildlife"
company="Swat Wildlife"
email=""
phone="416-792-5181 | Hamilton & surrounding: 1 833 902 SWAT (7928)"
hours=""
address="278 St Clarens Avenue, Toronto, ON M6H 3W3"
area="Toronto, Brampton, Etobicoke, Hamilton, North York, Vaughan, Mississauga, Scarborough, Oakville, Markham, Thornhill, Richmond Hill, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa"
stars="9.8/10 of 1058 reviews on HomeStars"
/>
 

<ContactCard link="https://homestars.com/companies/2792853-pest-solution-services"
company="Pest Solution Services Bed Bugs Specialist"
email="info@pestxperts.ca"
phone="416-451-7659"
hours=""
address="27 Helmsdale Crescent, Toronto, ON, M9V 3X8"
area="Toronto, Mississauga, Vaughan, and the rest of the GTA"
stars="9.9/10 of 508 reviews on HomeStars"
/>
 

<ContactCard link="https://homestars.com/companies/318496-gta-wildlife-removal-pest-control"
company="GTA Wildlife Removal And Pest Control"
email=""
phone="Phone: (905) 884-9203 (General Information) | Cellular: (416) 936-7299 (Wildlife Control Hotline) | Cellular: (416) 896-6883 (Pest Control Hotline) | Toll Free: 1-800-775-8856"
hours=""
address=""
area="Entire Greater Toronto Area: Toronto, York, Etobicoke, North York, East York, Port Credit, Scarborough, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Mississauga, Vaughn, King City, Maple, Pickering, Oshawa, Ajax, Whitby, Caledon, Brampton, Stouffville, Markham, Uxbridge, Kleinburg, Newmarket, Bramalea, Malton, Woodbridge, Thornhill, Nobleton, Oshawa, Cooksvile, Bolton, Agincourt, Malton and other areas in the vicinity of the GTA."
stars="9.9 10 of 949 reviews on HomeStars"
/>
 


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Enjoyed this and want more? Send us a note with your feedback, a 🙌, or suggestions on what else we can write about! You can reach us at [hello@openroom.ca](mailto:hello@openroom.ca).

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