Parkdale residents at 75 Spencer Avenue have successfully concluded a lengthy rent strike after landlord MetCap Living abandoned a proposed 5.4 per cent hike. Meanwhile, a new protest began on September 1 at the Scarborough property located at 2293 Eglinton Avenue East.
MetCap Living retreats from 5.4 per cent Parkdale rent hike
Parkdale residents at 75 Spencer Avenue have successfully concluded a lengthy rent strike after landlord MetCap Living abandoned a proposed 5.4 per cent above-guideline increase (AGI). as reported by the source, more than 30 units participated in the strike, which began in March after the landlord sought to retroactively raise rents.
Luz Flores, a tenant at the Parkdale building, credited the success to the unity of the residents. Bryan Doherty of Parkdale Organize also noted that the movement succeeded because neighbors formed an independent organization to confront the landlord directly. This victory echoes previous tenant successes in Toronto , including a 2017 strike involving 300 units and a 2023 movement in East York.
The 8.2 per cent threat facing Scarborough families
A new wave of tenant activism has emerged at 2293 Eglinton Avenue East in Scarborough, where families began withholding rent on September 1. These residents are protesting back-to-back AGI applications that could lead to a cumulative rent increase of 8.2 per cent over two years.
Jennie Ernewein, a single parent and social worker living in the Scarborough midrise, expressed deep concern regarding the financial pressure. According to the report, the landlord has applied for a 0.6 per cent increase for 2025 and a 3 per cent increase for the current year. When combined with the standard provincial rent-control limits, Ernewein fears she will be priced out of her home.
Drake Property Management defends $3.3 million in capital upgrades
The management of the Scarborough building, Drake Property Management, argues that the rent increases are a legal necessity to cover property improvements. The company, which manages the building for owner BGO Investment, stated it has invested over $3.3 million since 2023 on projects such as window replacements, landscaping, and accessibility upgrades.
While Drake Property Management claims to have addressed more than 360 work orders, tenants describe a different reality. Residents have reported issues including water damage, broken bathtubs, and pest problems. A letter sent by approximately 70 tenants in April highlighted these deteriorating conditions, including damaged wooden floors and washroom tiles.
Will Scarborough tenants overcome the eviction notices?
The Scarborough strike faces immediate legal hurdles as several tenants have already received eviction notices following their decision to withhold rent. Longtime resident Mohamed Cassim believes the aggressive rent hikes are a strategy to push out older, lower-paying tenants. Cassim, who has seen his rent rise from $900 to nearly $1,500 over two decades, suggested the landlord may be seeking to replace residents with those willing to pay market rates.
Several critical questions remain for the residents at 2293 Eglinton Avenue East. It is currently unknown if the landlord will eventually withdraw its AGI applications as MetCap Living did in Parkdale. Additionally, it remains unverified whether the management's claim of addressing 360 work orers effectively counters the specific maintenance grievancs cited by the tenant collective.
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