“Renovictions” — a term that’s made its way into conversations from London City Hall to coffee shop tables — describe situations where tenants are displaced ostensibly for renovations, but often raise questions about intent, legality, and tenant rights. With the City of London rolling out a Rental Unit Repair License and ongoing scrutiny of N13 notices under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act, landlords face more scrutiny and regulatory nuance than ever before. That’s where Harrison Carter Group comes in — helping property owners cut through the noise, stay compliant, and confidently manage their rental portfolios.
Our good friends at OPENROOM.ca shared a great article in their learning portal about this very topic and some great key highlights on the current LOCAL London happenings.
Open Room author Jasmine Jasini wrote:
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Housing Crisis: Stagnant wages and rising housing costs in London have created conditions where renters are increasingly vulnerable to renovictions.
London’s Renoviction Problem: A 2021 report found housing affordability challenges in London, exacerbated by renovictions, with over 153 cases filed between 2017 and 2021.
Rental Unit Repair License: London’s new Rental Unit Repair License, effective March 2025, strengthens tenant protections against unfair evictions for renovations.
You can read the full article here —-> https://learn.openroom.ca/post/london-renovictions-bylaw-rental-unit-repair-license?utm_source=chatgpt.com
In today’s local CBC news article – London’s own Andrew Lupton shared new a new update about 7 applications currently in place for this new law. You can read that full story here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/london-renoviction-bylaw-9.7207662
Our take? At Harrison Carter Group, we strongly encourage our landlords to understand not only their rights under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act, but also the rights and protections afforded to tenants. Successful long-term property ownership comes from operating within the law, maintaining transparency, and approaching difficult situations with the right information and guidance.
If you are considering major renovations that may require a tenant to temporarily or permanently vacate a property, it is critical that you seek proper legal advice (from qualified licensed paralegals) and fully understand the correct process before taking action. Far too often we see landlords approach these situations incorrectly — or worse, entirely wrong — leading to unnecessary conflict, financial penalties, delays, or Landlord and Tenant Board complications.
There are legal avenues available for legitimate renovations and repairs, but the process must be handled properly, professionally, and in compliance with the RTA. Harrison Carter Group is here to help landlords navigate those conversations, understand the legislation, and make informed decisions that protect both their investment and their reputation in the rental housing community. Referrals to the right legal professionals and conversations about the London, Ontario rental market are topics we enjoy being part of. Stop in for a coffee and a chat ! – Michelle Teichroeb
