Common areas

Common areas are shared spaces within a Toronto Community Housing building. These spaces include entrances, lobbies, hallways, stairwells, elevators, parking garages, laundry rooms, garbage or recycling rooms, community rooms, recreation rooms, craft rooms, multi-faith 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, shopping carts, 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. It is a Fire Code violation to leave anything in hallways, including doormats and boot trays. The Fire Code also does not allow items to be hung on the outside of unit doors, like wreaths, door decorations, 
and more. Site staff may remove these items.

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 needed.

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 to apply to use a non-residential space, read about the booking and application process or contact your Community Service Coordinator. You can also learn more in 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. You must also respect the rules about noise.

If you would like to host an event in a common outdoor space, you must get approval from staff. To apply, contact your Community Services Coordinator or 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 parties

If your unit has a backyard, you are welcome to have private parties. You are responsible for the actions of your guests and visitors. You need to stay within your backyard space and respect your neighbours. That means being mindful of noise and cleanliness.

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 wading pool. For more information, call 3-1-1. 

For the safety of small children, an adult must be present at all times when a pool is filled, in use, or emptied.

Outdoor pools (public)

Toronto Community Housing has several 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.  

Toronto Community Housing outdoor pools are open between Friday, June 28 and Saturday, August 31, 2024. 

Pool hours: Monday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pool locations

East region

West region

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. This includes renting accessible parking spots.

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. 
  • You must have a valid license plate and insurance. 

The household member who owns the vehicle must: 

Parking spots are only for vehicles. Do not store items like bikes, tires, gas canisters, and more.

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 buy 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. 

Parking Enforcement Officers patrol parking areas and have the authority to issue tickets and tow illegally-parked vehicles.

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 (30 feet, which is about 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.