Dozens of tenants at 500 Dawes Road, a problem-plagued apartment building in East York, are taking collective action against their landlord, Carolyn Kreb. They are demanding rent refunds due to ongoing issues such as rodent infestations, crumbling ceilings, and deteriorating balconies, which they claim have persisted for years. With the assistance of legal representation, tenants are filing two multi-tenant applications against Kreb at the Landlord and Tenant Board in hopes of obtaining relief.
Ryan Endoh, a leading tenant advocate, stated, “We’re looking to get about 40 to 60 percent of the rent that the tenants have paid for the past year refunded to them, as well as a 40 to 60 percent abatement going forward. And we’re also seeking damages, among a few other things.” This statement underscores the residents' frustration as they continue to endure living conditions that they believe are uninhabitable.
The city has not been inactive in addressing the numerous complaints. City officials have issued multiple fines against Kreb, with more than 80 property violation orders issued over the last decade. Despite these measures, the conditions have not improved significantly. Former City Councillor Janet Davis remarked, “There are 84 orders outstanding with thousands of violations contained within those orders,” emphasizing the systemic nature of the issues faced by the tenants.
In the past summer, Mayor Olivia Chow met with tenants and toured the building to assess the conditions firsthand. She committed to initiating what is referred to as "remedial action." This plan entails the city hiring contractors to fix the building's chronic problems, with the expenses transferred to the landlord’s property taxes. Initially, tenants were promised updates on the situation by the end of the year; however, this timeline has now been pushed to 2026, exacerbating the tenants' concerns about their living conditions.
Endoh expressed the difficulties tenants face, stating, “It puts tenants in a very difficult position. We’re doing what we can. There’s clearly a disconnect between policy and implementation.” His comments reflect the ongoing struggle and frustration that residents are experiencing as they confront bureaucratic delays while seeking justice and improved living conditions.
Mayor Chow has previously indicated that city staff would work on informing city councillors regarding the most effective ways to legally enforce remedial actions to ensure that landlords like Kreb fulfill their responsibilities. In support of this initiative, Davis voiced hope that future reports would bring concrete solutions to the housing problems, stating, “I hope and trust that when this next report comes back, there will be teeth in this remedial action, and that these housing problems can get fixed.”
Despite the efforts being made, tenants acknowledge the frustrating reality that it could take up to a year for their case to be heard at the Landlord and Tenant Board. As their situation continues to unravel without immediate resolution, the future for the residents of 500 Dawes Road remains uncertain.
