Ford government to freeze increases for rent-controlled units in 2021
Posted August 28, 2020 4:44 pm.
Last Updated August 29, 2020 9:26 am.
The Ford government says it will introduce legislation to freeze rent increases for rent-controlled units in 2021.
The Minister of Municipal Affairs told 680 NEWS late Friday the legislation would ensure that the vast majority of families do not see a rent increase next year.
“We know that families are continuing to be impacted by COVID-19. We know landlords have worked hard to be accommodating and have made sacrifices. And we know that by continuing to work together, we will move past this extraordinary time and increase housing – so that every Ontarian can find a home that suits their needs and their budget.”
As it stands now, rent increases for rent-controlled apartments in the city would have been 1.5 per cent next year.
The government legislation being proposed would freeze that increase.
#BREAKING – A government spokesperson just telling me that the legislation will also aim to freeze the 2021 rent for non-rent controlled units like new condos. While they cant guarantee everyone will see a freeze, this is a major move for renters. https://t.co/CuioZFATGw
— Richard Southern (@RichardCityNews) August 28, 2020
The news comes as tensions between landlords and tenants were on the rise in the city.
Last Tuesday, protesters gathered outside a Toronto courthouse to block the city’s rental enforcement units from operating evictions.
The Ford government has been criticized for its handling of evictions, especially as tenants struggle to get by during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After deciding to ban residential evictions earlier this month, government officials gave the Landlord and Tenant Board the green light to go ahead with evictions.
