A growing number of GTA tenants are alleging that landlords are neglecting maintenance on existing units while focusing on renovating vacant apartments to command higher rents. This trend, impacting buildings across Toronto, raises concerns about “constructive eviction” and the affordability of rental housing. Residents at 1440 and 1442 Lawrence Ave. W., for example, have reported ongoing maintenance issues, including severe pest infestations, while vacant units receive extensive upgrades. Similar issues are reported at the Summerhill building near Yonge and St. Clair, acquired by Starlight Investments in 2022. Housing advocates attribute this to a “value-add repositioning strategy” employed by financial landlords to maximize profits. While landlords defend renovations as necessary to modernize aging buildings, critics argue it leads to displacement of long-term tenants. Read the full story on thestar.com to delve deeper into this concerning trend and its impact on GTA renters.
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