On April 24th, a delegation from CUSA delivered oral remarks at the regular meeting of the Planning and Housing Committee of Ottawa City Council. During the delegation, CUSA spoke strongly in support of a proposed review of an “Anti-Renoviction” By-law, proposed by Coun. Ariel Troster and championed by community non-profit ACORN Ottawa. CUSA’s representative also answered questions from a panel of committee members.
“Renovictions” are the process by which a landlord evicts a tenant by issuing an N13 notice, for the stated purpose of completing renovations, only to evict the tenant or drastically raise rent on a residential property following the renovations. This has led in-part to a serious reduction in the overall supply of affordable rentals in Ottawa.
CUSA is aware of how issues regarding access to affordable housing can often preclude access to education in Ottawa. Students may find themselves in less-than-ideal housing situations, and an increasing number of students are unaware of their full rights as tenants.
We are extremely pleased that Ottawa’s Planning and Housing Committee unanimously passed Coun. Troster’s motion for a review of a new Anti-Renoviction by-law on April 24th.
On May 1st, Ottawa City Council officially endorsed the committee’s proposal, and voted 20-5 to take the first steps towards passing an Anti-Renoviction By-Law.
We believe that the proposed by-law will bring about greater transparency for tenants, and assist with the availability of affordable rentals in Ottawa. Such a by-law will hopefully emulate the success of a similar resolution passed in Hamilton, which among other provisions required:
- The landlord to obtain a renovation licence within 7 days of issuing the eviction notice, providing that licence conditionally on submitting the proper building permits and providing an engineer’s report confirming vacancy is necessary for the renovations;
- The landlord to provide for temporary accommodations if full vacancy is necessary;
- The landlord to allow the tenant to return to their unit at the same rate of rent;
- For the landlord and the City of Ottawa to properly inform tenants of their rights and that the city properly fines landlords for non-compliance.
Please see the full statement published by our partners at ACORN Ottawa here.