| Toronto Landlord Fined $48,000 for Residential Tenancies Act Violations The Voice of Canada News Convicted: 795 College Inc. Location: Toronto Description of Offence: Three counts of failing to afford a tenant a right of first refusal Date of Offence: November 11-15, 2017 Date of Conviction: May 23, 2019 Penalty Imposed: Following a guilty plea, 795 College Inc. was fined a total of $48,000 in Toronto by Justice of the Peace David. J. Hunt. The court also imposed a 25 percent victim fine surcharge ($12,000) as required by the Provincial Offences Act. Background:795 College Inc. is the landlord of an eight-unit apartment building. In late 2016, 795 College Inc. gave the tenants notice to end their tenancies to do extensive renovations. Tenants may have a “right of first refusal” to move back into the rental unit once renovations are complete by giving written notice to the landlord before moving out. The rent when the tenant moves back in must be the same as if there had been no interruption in the tenancy. Tenants in three rental units gave written notice to 795 College Inc. that they wanted to move back in once renovations were complete. In November 2017, 795 College Inc. rented the three units to different tenants at over three times the previous rent. The previous tenants did not move back in. In addition to the fines imposed by the Court, the Landlord and Tenant Board ordered 795 College Inc. to pay administrative fines totalling $75,000 for not letting the previous tenants move back in. |
