New rules make it tougher for landlords to get rid of tenants by 'renoviction'

A city bylaw aimed at ending bad-faith evictions passed at city council Tuesday night, but some say it doesn't go far enough. 

The bylaw is aimed at stopping renovictions — where landlords use a reno as a pretence to get long-term tenants out of their apartments so they can jack up prices for the next tenant. The new bylaw will require landlords to get city permits and licenses before starting a renovation, or face stiff fines. 

"We need to have these extra protections in place so people are either able to find alternative accommodations or have people stay housed," said Ward 1 Coun. Hadleigh McAlister. "What I'm personally seeing is the affordability crisis on the ground and what's happening when people are renovicted and cannot find other accommodation." 

Renovcitions have become a persistent problem in the city, said Ward 12 Coun. David Ferreira. 

"We are trying to go after bad faith landlords who are trying to remove long term tenants that are paying affordable rent so they can bring in another tenant so they can have increases per month on the unit that they have," he said. 

The bylaw won't include a provision that would have required landlords to provide tenants with an alternate place to live while the renovations are taking place, despite a push from tenant advocacy group ACORN. 

The new rental unit repair license will require landlords who want to do a reno that's so extensive tenants have to move out to: 

• Obtain a building permit for the renovation or repair of the rental unit.
• Obtain a report prepared, stamped, and certified by a qualified professional that states that repairs or renovations are so extensive that they require vacant possession of the unit.
• Apply for a Rental Unit Repair Licence within seven calendar days of giving an N-13 notice to a tenant.
• Provide the tenant a copy of the Tenant Information Package together with the N-13 notice. 

The repair license costs $600 and is valid for 180 days from the date it was issued. Fines for non-compliance range from $250 to $2,500. 

"We know renting is a vital housing option in London and that renovictions result in the displacement of tenants and the loss of important affordable market rentals in the community," says Scott Mathers, the deputy city manager in charge of planning and economic development. 

"This is an important step to protect renters in our community, stop people in London from being forced out of their homes, and discourage landlords from using N13 notices to evict tenants unfairly. I'm proud that London is the third city in Canada to take action against unfair evictions due to renovations."