The City of Toronto is developing a new bylaw aimed at preventing “renovictions” – when a landlord illegitimately evicts a tenant by alleging that vacant possession of a rental unit is needed to undertake renovations or repairs. Renovictions can include refusing to allow a tenant to return post-renovation, illegally raising the rent on a returning tenant or not undertaking major renovations after evicting tenants.
Renovictions have become a serious issue in Toronto and affect tenants across the city, including low-income and marginalized communities. With a shortage of affordable housing and low vacancy rates, it’s more important than ever to preserve existing affordable rental homes. This bylaw will establish new rules to prevent bad faith evictions and help maintain affordable homes for Toronto’s residents.
In June 2024, City Council directed city staff to create a new renovictions bylaw to tackle this growing issue. The bylaw is being modeled after successful initiatives in other cities and aims to strengthen protections for tenants across Toronto.
City staff will present City Council with a proposed bylaw that includes, but is not limited to:
The City will engage with the public and interested parties and will report back with a proposed bylaw by October 30.
We want to hear from tenants, landlords, the organizations that support them and the public before finalizing the renoviction bylaw. This will help us protect tenants and make sure landlords understand how to follow the new rules.
Share your insights and experiences by completing our online survey by September 30. Your responses will be anonymous and will inform the development of the bylaw.
Please join us at one of the in-person or online sessions noted below. We look forward to hearing from you.
District/Date | Location |
---|---|
Toronto East Wednesday, September 4, 2024 6 to 8 p.m. |
East York Civic Centre Address: 850 Coxwell Avenue, Toronto, ON M4C 5R1 Foyer |
Toronto West Thursday, September 5, 2024 1 to 4 p.m. |
Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC) 1499 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M6R 1A3 Auditorium |
North York Thursday, September 5, 2024 6 to 8 p.m. |
Memorial Community Hall 5110 Yonge St, North York, ON M2N 5W4 Burgundy Room |
Etobicoke Saturday, September 7, 2024 1 to 4 p.m. |
Etobicoke Civic Centre 399 The West Mall, Etobicoke, ON M9C 2Y2 Council Chamber |
Scarborough Sunday, September 8, 2024 1 to 4 p.m. |
Scarborough Civic Centre 150 Borough Dr, Scarborough, ON M1P 4N7 Atrium |
Downtown Toronto Friday, September 13, 2024 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. |
Metro Hall 55 John Street, Toronto, ON M5V 3C6 Rotunda (main floor) |
Updates on the bylaw’s development process will be posted on this webpage.