City Council to consider a report recommending the approval of a renovictions by-law.
A special and final update of the 2022-2026 City Council term.
News Release - Approving a Renovictions By-law to Protect Affordable Rental Housing
News Release - Approving a Renovictions By-law to Protect Affordable Rental Housing
UPDATE: the Planning and Housing Committee adopted the renovictions by-law on October 30th, 2024.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO – The city’s Planning and Housing Committee will consider the approval of a renovictions by-law for Toronto on October 30.
“This is a milestone in our city,” said Councillor Paula Fletcher. “Profit-driven renovictions reduce our supply of affordable housing, displace tenants and drive up the price of housing.”
The report, released today, recommends that City Council approve a renovictions by-law requiring any landlord who issues a tenant with an N13 Eviction Notice to receive a ‘Renovation License’ from the city.
Requirements of the Renovation License would include:
- Approved building permit
- Report from architect or engineer validating the need for vacant possession
- Tenant accommodation or compensation plan which includes moving costs
- Copy of the N13
- Tenant notification requirements
The by-law, which will go into effect on July 31, 2025, includes fines to deter non-compliance.
“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,” said Fletcher.
The by-law 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”, said Laura Anonen, Community Development Worker at Don Valley Community Legal Services. “This renovictions by-law will make a huge difference for renters across Toronto.”
Toronto began developing its by-law in 2019 when it created the Subcommittee on the Protection of Affordable Rental Housing. Chaired by Fletcher, it was formed specifically to address renovictions.
The by-law will go to the Planning and Housing Committee on October 30 then City Council on November 13.
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