North York tenants join hundreds of Torontonians striking against above-guideline rent increases
CBC
More tenants in Toronto decided to go on rent strike on Sunday, joining hundreds in the city already withholding rent payments in protest of above-guideline rent increases.
More than 100 tenants at 1440 and 1442 Lawrence Avenue W. are now striking in hopes their landlord, Barney River Investments, provides immediate and regular pest and bed bug treatment, elevator repairs and disinfection of frequently-touched surfaces in line with the city's COVID-19 health and safety measures.
"It's too much. It's not manageable. It's not easy," said Addila Safi, who lives in one of the buildings.
The mother of two, who has taken on two jobs to make ends meet, said she's been living there for some 15 years. Her rent increased from $900 to $1,400 in the last few years alone, she said.
"I want them to be fair."
The tenants are joining hundreds of Torontonians that have been rent striking for months, all largely aimed at pushing back against above-guideline rent increases and soaring rents in the city.
While the immediate goal is to get landlords to reverse course on the increases and attend to pressing matters in their buildings, the longer-term goal is a lasting solution from the province, says the York South-Weston Tenants Union, which is helping to organize the strikes.
"They have to take seriously our pain," said Yogesh Katri, a recent member of the union.
CBC Toronto has reached out to Barney River Investments for comment.
After organizing, tenants found out many who raise problems go weeks without hearing back from management, Katri said,
When they do, often the problem doesn't get resolved, he added.
"They are waiting a long and long time, but there's nothing really happening," said Katri.
Mylene Morada says problems became pressing when new management took over her building. Since then, bed bugs have become a norm, she said, as well as smelly garbage in the hallways.
No matter how much they complain, little is done, she said.
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