The councillor for Toronto-Danforth is calling a proposed bylaw deterring "renovictions" a huge step forward in protecting tenant rights.
Next week, the city’s Planning and Housing Committee will consider a bylaw that would put the onus on landlords to prove they need evict tenants to conduct a renovation.
“This is a milestone in our city,” Councillor Paula Fletcher said in a news release. “Profit-driven renovictions reduce our supply of affordable housing, displace tenants and drive up the price of housing.”
A report being released today recommends council approve the bylaw requiring any landlord who issues a tenant with an N13 eviction notice — which allows tenants to be evicted so a landlord can demolish, renovate or covert a unit — to first get a "renovation licence" from the city.
Requirements for the licence would include:
- Approved building permit
- Report from architect or engineer validating the need for vacant possession
- Tenant accommodation or compensation plan that includes moving costs
If passed, the bylaw would go into effect on July 31, 2025, and includes fines to deter non-compliance, according to Fletcher.
“Protecting affordable, rent-controlled units that are the target for renovictions is a major step for our city and shows we can be a leader, not just in building housing, but in protecting the affordable housing we have,” Fletcher added.
Fletcher said the bylaw comes after calls from tenants, housing advocates and legal clinic representatives for action on renovictions.
“We will never get those affordable units back once they’re gone. We’ve seen clients lose their homes and tenants displaced from their communities,” added Laura Anonen, community development worker at Don Valley Community Legal Services.
“This renovictions bylaw will make a huge difference for renters across Toronto.”
Toronto began developing the bylaw in 2019 when it created a subcommittee on the protection of affordable rental housing chaired by Fletcher that was formed specifically to address renovictions.
The bylaw will go to the Planning and Housing Committee on Oct. 30 then city council on Nov. 13.
Mayor Olivia Chow, Councillor Gord Perks (Parkdale-High Park), chair of the Planning and Housing Committee, and Councillor Fletcher are providing an update on the proposed bylaw at a news conference today.
More to come...