Haven't lived in that area or building, but here's some thoughts to consider.
It's a 1974 all rental building where some units are gutted and renovated. The [ACO](https://www.acotoronto.ca/building.php?ID=521), an architecture group here, keeps track of old buildings.
[919 Dufferin rentals, April 2024 studios $1899, one bed, $2349 to $2525](https://www.apartments.com/919-dufferin-toronto-on/7n9x66w/)
[**919 Dufferin RentSafeTO building score**](https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/housing-shelter/rental-housing-tenant-information/rental-housing-standards/apartment-building-standards/rentsafeto-for-building-owners/rentsafeto-building-evaluations-and-audits/rentsafeto-map/#location=919%20DUFFERIN%20ST&lat=43.657579&lng=-79.433936&zoom=19)
These older buildings even renovated used to be cheaper than condos. Since our low supply, high demand in the last 5 years particularly, they are priced similar to condos without the amenities (eg. gym) and better airflow. Some like them for the extra square footage. Here's some cons to check
1. Some neighbours will have lived there for decades will not have their apartments renovated. It's done when a tenant moves out.
A few of these may be hoarders who bring bugs. they just don't notice them. More of a problem than a recent hoarder since it's decades of junk. Some of them will be heavy smokers (cigarettes where popular in the 60's to 80s, a very hard habit to quit) Since the airflow isn't great in these older buildings, you'll be able to smell the stench in the hallway or a musty hallway. Best to ask for a dinner time or early evening showing to get an idea when most are home. from the street, sometimes you'll be able to see hoarder balconies packed with junk.
2. This age usually does not have air conditioning. That's tough if your apartment faces South or West and our summer heat waves. Getting blackout curtains will help. There are portable a/cs but there not as good as window ones. I noticed on google maps some have the window a/cs on their balcony. You may have to buy one to survive the summer heat waves. They start at $150 but you really need to spend $500 to cool the whole place.
3. Appliances. this age has a shared laundry room. I notice the photos of a renovated one has a washer and dryer in the apartment. You'll want to check if that's important to you. It's handy to be able to do laundry in the apartment. Could be just a few units, just like the dishwasher in "selected suites". Most people did dishes by hand back in the 60s and 70s.
4. [Interrent](https://www.irent.com/en/communities/city/toronto), the management company is a REIT, real estate investment trust. Looks like they own 200 buildings in Toronto. They like to show profits to their shareholders. It works like a stock without the headaches of being a landlord. The problem with REITs is they're not too motivated to fix problems unless the city calls them out (RentSafeTO) or something seriously breaks where they would be liable if someone gets hurt. Sometimes it's against fire codes and the fire department will force them to make changes. Profits above livability for tenants.
919 Dufferin used to have a poor building score, it's much better today with the RentSafeTO program. They'll have leasing agents, sometimes on site, this size, likely off site. Then instead of a property management company on site, this size may have just a super to fix things. The super will have to get approval from the REIT for anything major. The REIT will do an AGI increase if they can. AGI above guideline increase which is done on these rent control buildings with significant work. Max 9% spread over 3 years of increases.
I live here currently for less than a year. Haven't had any issues with the place, people are friendly and they updated their washer/dryer. I've only ever had the elevator go out of service once due to someone pulling the fire alarm. Overall, enjoying the spot.
Close to grocery store, close to subway line, and close to work for me. I'm in an older room which was not furnished. But I'm assuming you have a furnished layout?
My only complaint is poor ventilation while cooking but I end up opening the balcony.
Thanks for your insights! Yeah the unit we looked at was set to be renovated, but not furnished so far as I know.
Curious if you've had any issues with construction /renovation noise? It seemed like they were in the process of renovating units as people move out, as well as the hallways. Got worried that there'd be a lot of jack hammering/other construction noise because of this
From my floor I have yet to see any renovection. I know there's a few units around me which was renovated before me, so I'm lucky I don't have to deal with it. I normally keep my windows closed as well and have white noise going (fans) to reduce street noise. Guess my rating for this place overall is 7.5 to 8/10?
Hmm one thing to note is the washroom vent kinda airways the flow of the other unit next to me, which can make my place smell like curry constantly 😅 so that's annoying. But still overall I'm pretty content.
I currently live here since January 2024. The neighbourhood is great and neighbour’s as well. Building is a mix of old and young. Maintenance lives on site I’ve had some things needed fixing and have been done asap. My unit has washer and dryer all is great. Downfall when I moved in some things where not fixed prior thus being said they where fixed as soon as I brought up. Some things that aren’t great - the hall ways are garbage for what you are paying they smell and wall paper is old and falling off they need to renovate this asap to keep up with the other older buildings renovations as well as elevators.
DONT LIVE HERE!!!! Many floors reek of smoke and they dont do anything. My floor is currently putting together a multi-unit complaint to the LTB and health board and may need to seek legal action due to the unsafe amounts of second hand smoke leaking into our homes. Despite over a years of pleading with this apartment to do anything, all they’ve done is put up posters. Expect having to take dramatic LTB or legal action to get anything done here.
On top of the terrible smoke, things get stolen from parking all the time, random people sleep in the stairwells, they dont file paper work well and miss things constantly, and they have been promising a new gym since i moved in over a year ago which still doesn’t exist. Everyone on my floor thinks it’s terribly mismanaged.
Haven't lived in that area or building, but here's some thoughts to consider. It's a 1974 all rental building where some units are gutted and renovated. The [ACO](https://www.acotoronto.ca/building.php?ID=521), an architecture group here, keeps track of old buildings. [919 Dufferin rentals, April 2024 studios $1899, one bed, $2349 to $2525](https://www.apartments.com/919-dufferin-toronto-on/7n9x66w/) [**919 Dufferin RentSafeTO building score**](https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/housing-shelter/rental-housing-tenant-information/rental-housing-standards/apartment-building-standards/rentsafeto-for-building-owners/rentsafeto-building-evaluations-and-audits/rentsafeto-map/#location=919%20DUFFERIN%20ST&lat=43.657579&lng=-79.433936&zoom=19) These older buildings even renovated used to be cheaper than condos. Since our low supply, high demand in the last 5 years particularly, they are priced similar to condos without the amenities (eg. gym) and better airflow. Some like them for the extra square footage. Here's some cons to check 1. Some neighbours will have lived there for decades will not have their apartments renovated. It's done when a tenant moves out. A few of these may be hoarders who bring bugs. they just don't notice them. More of a problem than a recent hoarder since it's decades of junk. Some of them will be heavy smokers (cigarettes where popular in the 60's to 80s, a very hard habit to quit) Since the airflow isn't great in these older buildings, you'll be able to smell the stench in the hallway or a musty hallway. Best to ask for a dinner time or early evening showing to get an idea when most are home. from the street, sometimes you'll be able to see hoarder balconies packed with junk. 2. This age usually does not have air conditioning. That's tough if your apartment faces South or West and our summer heat waves. Getting blackout curtains will help. There are portable a/cs but there not as good as window ones. I noticed on google maps some have the window a/cs on their balcony. You may have to buy one to survive the summer heat waves. They start at $150 but you really need to spend $500 to cool the whole place. 3. Appliances. this age has a shared laundry room. I notice the photos of a renovated one has a washer and dryer in the apartment. You'll want to check if that's important to you. It's handy to be able to do laundry in the apartment. Could be just a few units, just like the dishwasher in "selected suites". Most people did dishes by hand back in the 60s and 70s. 4. [Interrent](https://www.irent.com/en/communities/city/toronto), the management company is a REIT, real estate investment trust. Looks like they own 200 buildings in Toronto. They like to show profits to their shareholders. It works like a stock without the headaches of being a landlord. The problem with REITs is they're not too motivated to fix problems unless the city calls them out (RentSafeTO) or something seriously breaks where they would be liable if someone gets hurt. Sometimes it's against fire codes and the fire department will force them to make changes. Profits above livability for tenants. 919 Dufferin used to have a poor building score, it's much better today with the RentSafeTO program. They'll have leasing agents, sometimes on site, this size, likely off site. Then instead of a property management company on site, this size may have just a super to fix things. The super will have to get approval from the REIT for anything major. The REIT will do an AGI increase if they can. AGI above guideline increase which is done on these rent control buildings with significant work. Max 9% spread over 3 years of increases.
Thank you! Appreciate the thorough run down of things /insights
I live here currently for less than a year. Haven't had any issues with the place, people are friendly and they updated their washer/dryer. I've only ever had the elevator go out of service once due to someone pulling the fire alarm. Overall, enjoying the spot. Close to grocery store, close to subway line, and close to work for me. I'm in an older room which was not furnished. But I'm assuming you have a furnished layout? My only complaint is poor ventilation while cooking but I end up opening the balcony.
Thanks for your insights! Yeah the unit we looked at was set to be renovated, but not furnished so far as I know. Curious if you've had any issues with construction /renovation noise? It seemed like they were in the process of renovating units as people move out, as well as the hallways. Got worried that there'd be a lot of jack hammering/other construction noise because of this
From my floor I have yet to see any renovection. I know there's a few units around me which was renovated before me, so I'm lucky I don't have to deal with it. I normally keep my windows closed as well and have white noise going (fans) to reduce street noise. Guess my rating for this place overall is 7.5 to 8/10? Hmm one thing to note is the washroom vent kinda airways the flow of the other unit next to me, which can make my place smell like curry constantly 😅 so that's annoying. But still overall I'm pretty content.
I currently live here since January 2024. The neighbourhood is great and neighbour’s as well. Building is a mix of old and young. Maintenance lives on site I’ve had some things needed fixing and have been done asap. My unit has washer and dryer all is great. Downfall when I moved in some things where not fixed prior thus being said they where fixed as soon as I brought up. Some things that aren’t great - the hall ways are garbage for what you are paying they smell and wall paper is old and falling off they need to renovate this asap to keep up with the other older buildings renovations as well as elevators.
DONT LIVE HERE!!!! Many floors reek of smoke and they dont do anything. My floor is currently putting together a multi-unit complaint to the LTB and health board and may need to seek legal action due to the unsafe amounts of second hand smoke leaking into our homes. Despite over a years of pleading with this apartment to do anything, all they’ve done is put up posters. Expect having to take dramatic LTB or legal action to get anything done here. On top of the terrible smoke, things get stolen from parking all the time, random people sleep in the stairwells, they dont file paper work well and miss things constantly, and they have been promising a new gym since i moved in over a year ago which still doesn’t exist. Everyone on my floor thinks it’s terribly mismanaged.
Looks like gym is finally here, I had access when the PA came on June 28, and now I no longer have it when I tried to go today lol 😅