A group of tenants residing in multiple buildings along Richview Road in Etobicoke organized a rally on Sunday to voice their concerns regarding significant rent increases and ongoing maintenance issues that they claim have been neglected by their landlord.
The tenants reported that they have recently received notifications of an Above Guideline Increase (AGI), which would allow their rent to rise beyond Ontario's rent control limit of 2.1 percent. The Toronto Tenant Union's organizers assert that the landlord is attempting to implement rent hikes that are more than double the provincial guideline, all while the need for repairs within the buildings continues to escalate.
Andy Pham, an organizer with the Toronto Tenant Union, stated, "Most of these units are rent-controlled, and the landlord is trying to squeeze more on top of that to pay for big renovations that the landlord’s doing, but these are not renovations that the tenants care about or want. This becomes unaffordable for most families.” His comments highlight the frustrations tenants feel about the renovations that do not meet their needs.
Meanwhile, long-time tenant Ounagh Michaud expressed her dismay over the living conditions in the buildings, saying, “We have tenants living with mold, living with leaks from the roof, and nothing is being done about it. We’ve complained, we’ve called the head office, and I feel like if you are going to be doing things in the building, one of the most important things that needs to get done is maintaining your tenants’ apartments.” Her statement underscores the urgent need for the landlord to address crucial maintenance issues.
In a collective effort, tenants from all H&R Properties on Richview Road submitted work orders simultaneously on Saturday to demand necessary repairs from their landlord. This action underscored their resolve to see action taken regarding their complaints.
Tracey Lecky, another tenant from Richview, expressed her indignation: “It is unacceptable that our landlord is expecting us to pay an Above Guideline Increase while repairs are sitting undone. We should not be paying luxury prices for apartments that are in a state of disrepair.” Her words reflect a growing sense of injustice among the tenants, who feel that they are being unfairly targeted for rent increases while facing poor living conditions.
As of now, CityNews has made attempts to contact H&R Properties regarding the tenants' allegations but has not yet received a response. This silence from the landlord adds to the frustration of tenants who have been actively voicing their needs and rights.
The situation in Etobicoke serves as a reminder of larger issues facing tenants in many urban centers, where rising living costs and neglected responsibilities by landlords often collide, resulting in significant hardship for those trying to secure safe and affordable housing.
