Barrie Looking at Renoviction Rules
A.G. Secure, Part of the discussion on renovictions in Barrie
Renovictions, the RTA, and the City of Barrie: Let’s Have the Right Conversation
Recently, I was pleased to be asked to contribute to an article by Simcoe.com regarding the City of Barrie and the possibility of introducing a bylaw addressing renovictions.
This is an important topic, and one that deserves careful consideration.
What Is a Renoviction?
A “renoviction” occurs when a landlord evicts a tenant under the pretense of completing renovations, only to re-rent the unit at a significantly higher rate once the work is complete. In Ontario, this type of eviction—when done in bad faith—is already addressed under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA).
The RTA provides a clear legal framework to protect tenants from bad-faith evictions. If a landlord attempts to remove a tenant for renovations without legitimate grounds, tenants have legal remedies available to challenge the eviction and seek compensation.
When Renovations Are Legitimate
That being said, there are circumstances where legitimate renovations require a tenant to vacate a unit temporarily. In those cases, landlords must follow a specific legal process by issuing an N13 Notice.
The N13 process is not a loophole—it is a regulated and structured procedure that includes important tenant protections:
- Compensation for the disruption.
- Right of first refusal, allowing the tenant to return to the unit once renovations are complete.
- Continuation of the original rent, meaning the landlord cannot simply reset the rent to market value for that returning tenant.
These protections are already embedded in provincial legislation and are enforceable through the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Should the City Create Its Own Bylaw?
The discussion now is whether the City of Barrie should introduce a municipal bylaw to address renovictions.
This raises an important question:
Should municipalities legislate in an area that is already governed by provincial law?
The Residential Tenancies Act was designed specifically to regulate landlord-tenant relationships across Ontario. Creating additional municipal layers of regulation could introduce confusion, overlap, and potentially conflicting standards.
That doesn’t mean concerns about housing stability aren’t valid—they absolutely are. But it is worth considering whether the appropriate venue for reform is at the provincial level, where the RTA already provides a framework for enforcement and dispute resolution.
Read the Article and Make Your Voice Heard
I encourage you to read the full article from Simcoe.com and consider the implications carefully:
If you believe the City should not be entering into an area already covered by the Residential Tenancies Act, now is the time to make your voice heard.
Housing policy affects landlords and tenants alike. Thoughtful discussion—and a clear understanding of existing legislation—are essential as we move forward.
