The province of Ontario is considering a new law to strengthen tenant protections, but advocates say the law will have the exact opposite of the intended effect.
Donovan Vincent reports: " The provincial government [of Ontario] is bringing forward proposed new rules it says will protect tenants from 'renovictions' — but critics say if the changes go through it will become easier for landlords to get rid of their renters."
The proposed law, called the Protecting Tenants and Strengthening Community Housing Act, would alter the province's Residential Tenancies Act with the purpose of preventing unlawful evictions, providing support for tenants in "no-fault" evictions, and increasing compensation for tenants evicted under bad faith.
On that last point, Vincent explains: "In a bid to discourage unlawful evictions, the government’s proposed changes would also double the maximum fines for offences under the Residential Tenancies Act to $50,000 for an individual and hike penalties from $100,000 to $250,00 for a corporation."
But opponents of the new law cite the potential for unintended consequences, namely that the law would actually make it easier for landlords to evict tenants. Vincent cites Cole Webber, a legal worker with Parkdale Community Legal Services in downtown Toronto, to explain that concern.
“The legislation aims to speed up eviction in two ways — the first is by limiting the ability of tenants to defend against eviction by raising (repair) and maintenance issues at an eviction hearing at the Landlord and Tenant Board,” Webber said in an interview.
The source article includes a lot more explanation of the law and its potential consequences for landlords and tenants.
FULL STORY: Ontario unveils plan to combat ‘renovictions.’ Critics say the rules will make it easier to evict
Quantifying the Impact of Pandemic Housing Assistance
The massive federal injection of funding into housing programs has had major impacts on many Americans’ ability to stay housed and out of debt, but fears loom as the end of some funding sources nears.
Proposed Bill Would Strengthen California’s Renter Protections
The bill would improve on the 2019 Tenant Protection Act by further limiting rent increases and adding more eviction protections for California renters.
Philadelphia 'Diversion Program' Prevents Evictions Through Mediation
A program that provides mediation between landlords and tenants has helped a majority of applicants avoid eviction, signaling a promising avenue for renter assistance as landlords seek to recoup COVID-era losses.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
Brightline West’s future may rely on $6 billion federal loan
The company has until Nov. 2 to make a $400 million equity investment into its proposed high-speed rail line.
LA Metro’s ultimatum: no extra buses for LA28 if federal funding isn’t imminently secured
If Metro does not provide additional buses, LA28 organizers will have to find a new way to manage Olympic traffic. LA28’s budget does not include a line item for transit.
Colorado’s Largest Data Center Could Rise Next to Homes — Without a Public Hearing
The proposed campus would consume 11 times the power of Denver International Airport; as it has across the country, opposition mounts.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association