🏙️ Toronto’s New Renoviction Bylaw Takes Effect July 2025: What Landlords and Tenants Need to Know
As of July 31, 2025, the City of Toronto will implement a new Rental Renovation Licence Bylaw—a move designed to crack down on so-called renovictions, where tenants are evicted under the pretense of major renovations, only for the units to be re-rented at much higher prices.
This bylaw introduces licensing, documentation, and compensation requirements for landlords who plan to renovate occupied rental units. Here’s everything you need to know.
🧾 What the Bylaw Requires
To legally evict a tenant for renovations, landlords must now:
Apply for a Rental Renovation Licence
This must be submitted within 7 days of issuing an N13 eviction notice, and includes:A $700 application fee per unit
Approved building permits
A qualified report (engineer or architect) confirming vacant possession is required
A posted Tenant Information Notice in a visible area of the building
Provide Documentation
Landlords must demonstrate that the work cannot be safely completed while the unit is occupied.
🏠 New Tenant Protections
Under the new rules, tenants facing renovation-related eviction are entitled to:
Alternative Comparable Housing
At similar rent while the renovations are underway.Rent Gap Payments
Monthly compensation equal to the difference between their current rent and the average market rent.Moving Allowances
$1,500 for studios or 1-bedroom units
$2,500 for 2-bedroom+ units
Severance Option
Tenants who choose not to return post-renovation must be paid a lump sum equal to three months of rent-gap compensation.
⚖️ Enforcement and Penalties
The City will actively monitor and enforce the bylaw. Non-compliant landlords may face:
Fines up to $100,000 for evicting without performing legitimate renovations
Daily fines of up to $10,000
Penalties tied to the financial benefit gained from non-compliance
📢 City’s Public Awareness Campaign
To educate the public, Toronto has launched an outreach campaign using messaging like:
“New hardwood shouldn’t make a renter’s life harder.”
This initiative aims to raise awareness among tenants about their rights and help landlords understand their new obligations under the bylaw.
💬 Why This Matters
Toronto continues to face a housing affordability crisis, and renovictions have become a major concern. By implementing this bylaw, the City aims to protect vulnerable tenants and ensure rental units remain accessible and affordable.
Landlords must now balance property upgrades with increased transparency and responsibility. For tenants, these rules could offer much-needed stability in an unpredictable market.
🔗 Source Links for Further Reading
City Council Background Report (PDF)
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