Common areas
Common areas are shared spaces within a Toronto Community Housing building such as entrances, lobbies, hallways, stairwells, elevators, parking garages, laundry rooms, garbage or recycling rooms, community rooms, recreation rooms, gyms, libraries, and meeting rooms.
Bicycle parking
Park your bike in one of these bicycle parking locations.
15 Tobermory Dr.
275 Shuter St.
3825 Sheppard Ave. E
10 Gordonridge Pl.
40 Gordonridge Pl.
444 Lumsden Ave.
10 Deauville Lane
30 Gordonridge Pl.
285 Shuter St.
295 Shuter St.
Clean buildings
Toronto Community Housing's is committed to providing clean buildings for residents.
Cleaning routines
Posters about our updated cleaning routines are posted in all buildings and developments. These posters cover the daily, weekly and monthly routines for cleaners. For example, in lobbies and entrances, it is part of the daily routine to vacuum and spot clean all carpets, mats and runners.
Hallways
All hallways in Toronto Community Housing buildings must be kept free of furniture, scooters, bicycles, strollers, walkers or items you want to throw in the garbage. Hallways must also be free of carpets except those installed by Toronto Community Housing. Bring household waste and large garbage items to the designated area of your property.
Items left in hallways are fire hazards. They may be removed by site staff.
If you have questions about how and where to throw away old furniture or large items, ask your Superintendent or call the Client Care Centre.
Laundry rooms
Most Toronto Community Housing buildings have laundry rooms with coin or card-operated washers and dryers. Hours and prices are posted in each laundry room. If a machine is not working properly, call the number posted in your laundry room.
Non-residential space
Non-Residential Space within a Toronto Community Housing building includes common space, community space and recreation space (like libraries, recreation rooms and meeting rooms). Tenants and tenant-led groups can apply to use non-residential space for a one-time occasion or on a recurring basis.
Private event
Private events are events that are not open to all tenants, such as birthday parties or weddings. A fee may be charged and insurance may be required.
Community event
Community events are events open to all tenants, where the purpose of the event is to support tenants or get tenants involved. Tenants and tenant-led groups may be eligible for coverage under Toronto Community Housing’s insurance policy.
To find out how you can apply to use a non-residential space, read the Non-Residential Use of Space Policy for Tenants and Tenant-Led Groups.
Outdoor spaces
Tenants are welcome to share and enjoy the outdoor spaces in their community in a responsible, safe way that respects the rights of others.
If you would like to host an event in a common outdoor space, you must get approval from staff. You must also respect the rules about noise. To apply, contact your Community Services Coordinator. If you have other questions, talk to staff at your Tenant Service Hub.
If you plan to host an outdoor barbeque, you need to apply for approval. You can find out how in Toronto Community Housing’s Non-Residential Use of Space Policy.
If you are concerned that an event is going on in a common space without permission, call the Community Safety Unit at 416-921-2323.
Outdoor pools (personal)
If you have an outdoor pool that is 24 inches deep, or deeper, you must have a pool enclosure. This is a City of Toronto bylaw. It applies to any inflatable or above-ground swimming pool or children’s pool. For more information, call 3-1-1.
Outdoor pools (public)
Toronto Community Housing has several indoor and outdoor swimming pools across the city that are available to tenants and their families. These pools are operated in partnership with PPL Aquatic, Fitness & Spa Group Inc (window opens in a new tab or window).
Toronto Community Housing outdoor pools are open between Canada Day and Labour Day each summer season. This section is updated with pool hours when the pools are open for the summer.
For more information about pool hours and locations during the open season, call PPL Aquatic, Fitness & Spa Group Inc. at 905-501-7210.
Extensions to operating hours:
When the City of Toronto issues a heat warning or extended heat warning, the operating hours for Toronto Community Housing's swimming pools may be extended to 9 p.m. based on operational needs. During a heat warning or extended heat warning, please check extended hours at your nearest pool.
Parking
To rent a parking spot, go to your Tenant Service Hub and register for a parking permit.
To qualify for tenant parking:
- Your household must be in good rental standing with Toronto Community Housing.
- The ownership of the vehicle must be registered to a household member who is on the lease. Their address must be a Toronto Community Housing unit where the household member is living.
- The license plate must be valid and the renewal up to date.
The household member who owns the vehicle must:
- Read and follow the Tenant Vehicle Parking Terms and Conditions.
- Complete and sign the Tenant Vehicle Parking Registration Form.
- Show proof of vehicle ownership and insurance when registering.
Parking for visitors
Visitor parking is available for any person visiting your property or for tenants visiting a Toronto Community Housing property where they are not registered to park. There are two types of visitor parking lots:
- Pay-and-display parking lots: Visitors who park at these lots must purchase a pay-and-display ticket and follow the display instructions.
- Non-pay-and-display parking lots: Visitors who park at these lots must display a completed Visitor Parking Permit. Follow the instructions on the back of the permit and obey the signs in the parking lot.
Speak to your Superintendent to find out if your building has visitor parking. You can then request a Visitor Parking Permit from your Tenant Service Hub or Superintendent. A household is eligible for nine visitor parking permits per month.
Parking violations
To report a parking violation, call the Community Safety Unit at 416-921-2323.
All Toronto Community Housing Special Constables can write City of Toronto parking tickets. They can also have illegally parked cars towed from Toronto Community Housing property.
If you get a parking ticket, read the instructions about fine payment on the back of the ticket.
Scented products
Think of your neighbours when you share the air. Products like hair gel, soap, perfume and lotion contain chemicals and scents that can make other people sick. Never use aerosol sprays or powders in common areas. Please consider using “scent-free” products.
Smoking in common areas or near your building
Smoking policy
Toronto Community Housing is committed to providing tenants and employees with a safe and healthy environment in which to live and work. Part of this commitment is our work to create a smoke-free environment. Our ultimate goal, supported by the majority of tenants, is to eliminate smoking everywhere on our property. The changes will be phased in over several years, in consultation with tenants.
Creating a smoke-free environment
Currently, TCHC tenants are permitted by law to smoke tobacco or cannabis inside their unit as well as in any outdoor space beyond nine metres of a building entrance or exit. In future, any household signing a new lease, either as a new tenant or as a transfer, will be required to agree not to smoke in their units or anywhere on TCHC property as a condition of their lease.
No smoking in common areas
In Ontario, it is against the law to smoke tobacco or cannabis in common areas.
Common areas are shared spaces like:
- elevators
- stairwells
- hallways
- parking garages
- laundry rooms
- lobbies
- gyms
- garbage or recycling rooms
- party or entertainment rooms
If you or someone in your household smokes in a common area, you could face a fine of up to $5,000 from the City of Toronto.
No smoking near entrances or exists
It is against the law in Toronto to smoke within nine metres (about 30 steps, or the length of a small bus) of any entrance or exit of a public building. This includes all Toronto Community Housing apartment buildings and offices.