Toronto’s RentSafeTO Program: A Tenant-Driven Push for Safe and Affordable Housing

Toronto’s housing landscape has seen significant shifts in recent years, with a growing emphasis on tenant rights and building safety. Central to this evolution is RentSafeTO, a bylaw enforcement program designed to ensure apartment building owners maintain adequate standards. The program’s origins and ongoing development are deeply intertwined with the advocacy efforts of organizations like ACORN Canada, demonstrating the power of community organizing in shaping urban policy.

The Genesis of RentSafeTO

RentSafeTO: Apartment Building Standards emerged from over two decades of advocacy by ACORN Canada for improved tenant protections and landlord accountability. In 2019, Toronto City Council unanimously supported the creation of the bylaw, marking a historic victory for tenant rights. The initial vision for RentSafeTO included a rating system, financial penalties for non-compliance, operating standards for bylaw officers, and a tenant engagement program.

Program Scope and Requirements

Currently, RentSafeTO applies to apartment buildings with three or more storeys and 10 or more residential units. Condo buildings, townhomes, and units within private homes (like basement apartments) are not covered under the program. Building owners are required to register and renew annually, ensuring ongoing accountability for building performance. The program mandates regular, biannual inspections of residential units.

Recent Findings and Tenant Concerns

A recent “State of Repair Report” released by Toronto ACORN members, based on a tenant survey, provides a bottom-up evaluation of RentSafeTO’s progress. The survey, one of four conducted over the past decade (2016, 2020, 2023, and 2026), reveals both improvements and persistent challenges.

• Bedbugs: Incidence of bedbugs has decreased by half over the past ten years.
• Cockroaches: Cockroach problems remain prevalent, affecting nearly half of tenants.
• Responsiveness to Work Orders: While some progress has been made, approximately 30% of tenants still report feeling threatened by landlords for submitting work orders.
• Heating and Cooling: 43% of tenants experienced issues with low or no heat during the winter, while over 60% reported extreme heat as a serious concern in their apartments – a significant increase attributed to climate change.
• Rent Guidelines: More than a third of tenants surveyed are paying rent above city guidelines.

ACORN’s Recommendations for Improvement

Based on their survey and ongoing work with tenants, ACORN Canada has proposed several enhancements to the RentSafeTO program:

• In-Unit Inspections: Move beyond hallway walkovers to conduct thorough inspections within individual units.
• Clear Standards and Follow-Up: Establish clear maintenance standards and ensure consistent follow-up on violations.
• Standardized Work Orders: Implement a standardized work order system for tracking and resolving maintenance requests.
• Stiffer Penalties: Increase penalties for repeat violations to deter landlords from neglecting their responsibilities.
• Transparency of Ownership: Increase transparency regarding building ownership.
• No-Notice Inspections: Conduct unannounced inspections to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Attention to Mold: Prioritize addressing mold issues both inside and outside of units.
• Rent Escrow Account: Establish a citywide rent escrow account allowing tenants to withhold rent when landlords fail to address cited violations.

The Future of RentSafeTO

The RentSafeTO program represents a significant step forward in protecting tenants’ rights and ensuring safe housing in Toronto. The ongoing advocacy of groups like ACORN Canada continues to shape the program’s development, pushing for greater accountability and improved living conditions for Toronto residents. As the city grapples with affordability challenges and climate change impacts, RentSafeTO will likely remain a critical component of a comprehensive housing strategy.