News Release: April 22, 2025 - City of Toronto launches Rental Renovation Licence Bylaw public education campaign
There have been reports of a growing trend of renovictions in Toronto, where 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 who has exercised their right of first refusal to return post-renovation, illegally raising the rent on a returning tenant, or not undertaking major renovations after evicting renters. This results in the displacement of tenants, the permanent loss of affordable market rental housing and contributes to rising homelessness in Toronto.
On November 14, 2024, the City Council adopted the Rental Renovation Licence Bylaw to curb bad faith evictions and protect tenants from "renovictions." For more information, please refer to City of Toronto Bylaw 53-2025.
The bylaw will come into effect on July 31, 2025.
What does the Rental Renovation Bylaw Apply to?
All residential rental units in the City of Toronto are subject to this bylaw, regardless of the building type or number of units in the building. A rental unit is any living space that people rent to live in. However, it does not include the following types of places:
- Government-Approved Residences: Places licensed or approved by the Ontario or Canadian government.
- City-Operated Shelters: Shelters run by the City or its agencies that provide short-term emergency housing and services.
- Toronto Community Housing: Buildings owned or operated by the Toronto Community Housing Corporation.
- Student Housing: Housing provided by colleges or universities for their students.
- Co-operative Student Residences: Student housing owned or leased by non-profit organizations that operate on a co-operative basis.
- Hotels or Motels: Temporary accommodations like hotels or motels.
- Housing Services Act Buildings: Buildings covered by the Housing Services Act, 2011, or its regulations.
- Other Social or Affordable Housing: Social or affordable housing not covered by the Housing Services Act but subject to an agreement with the City, as determined by the Executive Director of the Housing Secretariat.
Tenant Rights under the Bylaw
This bylaw helps protect tenants by requiring landlords to be licensed, even though it does not introduce new tenant rights. Landlords must apply for a Rental Renovation Licence to undertake renovations which require tenants to move out of a rental unit through the N13 process. If a landlord is issued a Rental Renovation Licence, tenants have the right during the application process to choose whether to return to the unit after renovations or not.
- Return to Unit: Tenants may choose to return to their rental unit after renovations at the same rent they paid before leaving.
- Temporary Housing or Rent-Gap Payments: If tenants choose to return, landlords must provide temporary, comparable housing at similar rents or monthly rent-gap payments if tenants find their own temporary housing.
- Moving Expenses: Landlords must provide a one-time moving allowance of $1,500 for a studio or one-bedroom unit, or $2,500 for a two-or-more-bedroom unit.
Resources and Support Services for Tenants
Tenants can access free support services funded by the City, including legal assistance and tenant hotlines.
The City of Toronto provides tools and information to help tenants understand their rights and stay informed throughout the rental and renovation process.
For more information on tenant rights, process when N13 notice is received and supports and resources, visit the City website.
Helpful Tips for Tenants
- Keep communication in writing - ask your landlord to communicate by email or letter to help protect your rights.
- Don’t sign anything quickly - always seek advice from a legal clinic or support worker before agreeing to move out or accept compensation.
- Attend your eviction hearing - If you receive a notice from the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), it’s important to show up. Free legal help may be available.
- Talk to your neighbours - organizing with other renters can help if multiple tenants are affected. FMTA can help connect you to local renter groups.
Report a Violation
If you suspect your landlord is not following the Rental Renovation Licence Bylaw, you can report it to the City by calling 311. The City uses an education-first approach but may take enforcement actions – including inspections, orders to comply, fines or other penalties – if violations are found.
Enforcement and Compliance
- Monitoring: Toronto Building Inspectors will monitor compliance with the bylaw throughout the renovation process.
- Penalties: Fines for non-compliance include up to $1,000 for failure to submit a licence application within seven days of issuing an N13 notice, up to $10,000 per day for continuing offences, and up to $100,000 for evicting tenants without completing renovations or failing to follow the approved plan.
For a quick access to the Rental Renovation Licence Bylaw information, please see this Q&A section.
