New regulations designed to enhance protections for renters in Mississauga will come into effect in two weeks.
The City of Mississauga’s Rental Repairs and Renovations Licensing Bylaw, effective Sept. 1, aims to stop landlords from wrongfully evicting tenants under the pretense of major property repairs – a tactic known as renovictions.
Passed by city council in April, the new bylaw “increases protections for tenants who face eviction when their landlord requires them to move out for extensive renovations or repairs,” city officials stated earlier.
The city highlighted on Monday that this bylaw, which works alongside the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act to further shield renters from unlawful renovictions, was created with feedback from tenants, landlords, and community organizations throughout Mississauga.
“These changes will help make the eviction process clearer and fairer while reducing housing instability and helping protect the city’s stock of affordable rental housing,” officials mentioned.
Renovictions are on the rise
In recent years, renovictions have become more prevalent, prompting Mississauga municipal leaders to act in defense of local renters.
“When landlords bypass the legal process to evict their tenants for such renovations or repairs, it can lead to increased housing insecurity and result in a loss of affordable housing,” Mississauga officials noted earlier. They added that the new bylaw serves as “another important tool the city can use to ensure affordable rental housing remains available in Mississauga.”
The Peel ACORN group, which identifies itself as an independent social and economic justice organization helping renters across Mississauga and Brampton advocate for better living conditions from rental management companies, called this new bylaw “historic,” describing it in April as “a massive victory for tenant power.”
A robust set of protections
Additionally, Peel ACORN pointed out that Mississauga’s bylaw is now one of Ontario’s strongest sets of such protections. The group emphasized that “this victory is a direct result of relentless organizing by Peel ACORN” and follows a growing trend of municipal successes led by ACORN chapters across the province.
The renters’ group asserts that renovictions – “evictions carried out under the guise of renovations to bypass rent control” – have troubled Ontario tenants recently.
According to Mississauga’s new bylaw, landlords must obtain a license from the city before proceeding with significant renovations or repairs that necessitate tenant displacement.
An unlawful renoviction occurs when a landlord:
Falsely claims they need extensive renovations or repairs just to force their tenants out so they can increase rent. Fails to adhere to the province’s N13 process outlined in ORTA. The N13 process details legal steps landlords must follow when undertaking major renovations or repairs requiring tenant displacement.
The city explained that under the N13 process, landlords in Mississauga must acquire a building permit prior to beginning any work requiring vacant possession of a rental unit.
“Landlords must also compensate displaced tenants either with one or three months’ rent depending on building size or provide suitable alternative accommodations,” city officials added.
This means starting Sept. 1; landlords who do not comply with these new regulations could face fines ranging from $500 up to $1,000. More severe violations could lead up to $100,000 fines upon conviction, according to the city’s statement.
If residents suspect their landlord isn’t following this new rulebook, they can report it directly through 311.
The Mayor speaks about finding balance
Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish stated previously that this new regulation aims for an equitable balance between interests.
“We want to support landlords who are making necessary improvements while ensuring tenants aren’t unlawfully evicted,” she said during an April announcement from the city. “Our goal is also improving communication between both parties while providing information and resources they might need.”
This year City Solicitor Graham Walsh remarked how this “made-in-Mississauga” regulation was crafted specifically to align with Ontario’s N13 procedure.
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