Second group of tenants on rent strike face mass eviction hearings

A second group of tenants in Toronto has joined a rent strike and are now facing mass eviction hearings. Around 100 renters living in two North York apartment buildings stopped paying rent to pressure their landlord into addressing serious maintenance and repair issues. Instead of resolving the problems, the landlord has taken them to the Landlord and Tenant Board, scheduling eviction hearings against them.

This wave of action follows an earlier group of renters who initiated the strike over issues like persistent leaks, broken heating systems, and mould. Dissatisfied by slow or non-existent responses, these tenants felt they had no choice but to withhold rent. Their protest gained attention after their landlord filed mass eviction notices, prompting concern from tenant-rights advocates.

The upcoming hearings at the Landlord and Tenant Board could affect every household involved. If the landlord prevails, tenants could face eviction within weeks. But the tenants argue they’re exercising a legal right to withhold rent when landlords fail to maintain safe, livable conditions. They’re also hoping the strike draws public support and forces the landlord to act.

Tenant advocates warn that the hearings could set a troubling precedent. If the board rules in favour of the landlord despite serious health and safety concerns, it may discourage future rent strikes—even when tenants have legitimate grievances. Lawyers and community groups plan to attend hearings to argue that withholding rent was the only way tenants could get repairs done.

From the landlord’s standpoint, they claim the tenants are violating their lease by not paying rent. They argue that eviction is a normal and legal response when rent isn’t paid—not a retaliation against maintenance complaints. The landlord’s lawyer is expected to present the case as a routine matter of enforcing the lease terms.

Whatever happens in these hearings could have wider implications. If the board sides with tenants and forces the landlord to make repairs, it could encourage other residents to pursue similar action when facing poor conditions. If not, it may embolden landlords to ignore maintenance demands, knowing they can move forward with evictions even amid tenant complaints. The hearings are expected to begin later this month.