By Bob Boughner, Special to The Daily News
Friday, July 13, 2012 9:18:56 EDT AM
The 332-unit Trillium Village apartment community in Chatham has qualified as the municipality's first certified rental property under the Federation of Rental-Housing Providers of Ontario.
Trillium Village is owned and operated by the Steeves and Rozema Group of Sarnia.
Approximately 600 people reside at Trillium Village.
The residential rental housing initiative is the first quality assurance program of its kind in North America, designed specifically for tenants.
Since the program's inaugural launch, FRPO's members have enrolled over 102,000 suites in 1,450 buildings across Ontario.
More than 945 multi-residential apartment buildings have received official certification status across Onario.
John Scotland, CEO of Steeves and Rozema Group, said the program is a natural extension of the company's ongoing commitment to quality and customer service with residents.
"We are pleased to be able to benchmark our operations and service standards against industry best practices and to participate in raising the level of professionalism across the industry,'' he said.
Scotland said the program benefits all parties involved. He said residents continue to enjoy the quality and service they have come to expect, and potential renters have the assurance of quality and the company's service commitment.
"Our staff also benefits from a commitment to education, professional development and a healthy working environment,'' he said.
Chatham-Kent counc. Anne Gilbert said quality of life and dependable accommodations are important elements of a successful community.
She said Trillium Village is an important part of Chatham-Kent.
FRPO's goal is to have 100,000 plus suites and 1,050 multi-residential apartment buildings certified in the program by the end of this year.
