Roncesvalles Tenants Fight Eviction Notices Amid Housing Affordability Crisis

Tenants at 388 Roncesvalles Avenue in Toronto are engaged in an ongoing legal dispute with their landlord over eviction notices that threaten their long-term housing stability. The conflict centers on N12 and N13 notices issued by the building’s recent owners, who also operate Bloom Health Clinic on the ground floor.

Tim Bourgette, a tenant who has lived in the building with his family for over a decade, told CBC Toronto that the stability of his family’s home was disrupted after the building was sold in 2024. He said the new owners initially asked tenants to consider moving out before serving official eviction notices.

“Immediately they started to request that we think about moving out,” Bourgette said. He added that previous eviction attempts had been unsuccessful at the Landlord Tenant Board.

The owners have issued two types of eviction notices: Bourgette is contesting an N12 notice for personal use, although another tenant, Joe de Ponte, is fighting an N13 notice related to plans to convert residential space into commercial use to expand the clinic. Both cases are currently before tribunals or the courts.

Bourgette expressed concern about the affordability crisis in Toronto, stating that his family would likely be unable to afford to remain in the neighborhood if evicted.

“Affordability has become such a huge issue in Toronto and we really would not be able to afford to stay in the neighbourhood that is our home,” he said.

The dispute highlights broader challenges faced by Ontario tenants in maintaining housing security amid rising costs and limited availability. Legal experts note that eviction notices such as N12 and N13 require careful legal scrutiny to ensure tenant rights are upheld under the Residential Tenancies Act.

Tenants facing similar situations are advised to understand their legal rights and options for contesting eviction notices through the Landlord and Tenant Board. Consulting with litigation lawyers may provide clarity and guidance in such cases.

This ongoing case at 388 Roncesvalles Avenue underscores the tension between property rights and tenant protections in Toronto’s competitive housing market, with potential implications for rental housing policy across the province.