The LHPTA is a voluntary and democratic organization of tenants who reside in 50 High Park and 55 Quebec. We organize as neighbours to use our collective power to negotiate better living conditions. We fight to keep our neighbours and our community together — in secure, affordable housing.

There is strength in numbers. Organizing means having more power to negotiate with the landlord. As one tenant, if you have a problem with GWLRA's policy, behaviour, or decisions (for example, a 12% rent increase or a lack of security) what option do you have to fight it? You can email them or move out. But you alone are one of hundreds of tenants — they can afford to ignore you.

Organizing means working together as a group and co-ordinating our responses to the policies, behaviours, and decisions that we believe are not in the best interest of our community. This helps to correct that power imbalance and makes for a more fair negotiation.

Rent: Over the last year, tenants have received rent notices for annual increases between 7% and 12%. The exact numbers vary month to month and unit to unit, but in general tenants have been offered close to 11% for month-to-month and 7% to 9% if they agree to a 12, 13, or 14 month lease.

Aside from strong-arming us into signing longer leases — these rent increases are unaffordable. When LHPTA met with representatives from GWLRA they informed us that charging market rent increases was a core part of the business model presented to investors. They also told us that they use software called “Yieldstar” to generate their rent rates. It’s no secret that rents in Toronto are skyrocketing, average rent has consistently risen by more than double the provincial guidelines and is predicted to continue to increase rapidly. There is no doubt that we should expect similar rent increases this year and every year going forward — unless we organize.

Security: Many tenants have complained about missing packages and personal security threats. For a long time GWLRA hired only one security guard to patrol all four buildings (two Livemore buildings and two Grenadier Square buildings), as well as the two amenities buildings. After pressure from organized tenants, there are now two security guards. This is a good step, but there is more to do.

Fairness: Above all, the main issue here is fairness. Different tenants and units received different rent increases, seemingly without correlation between move-in date or rent. Some people are offered cheaper parking, while others pay more. It is unfair for GWLRA to unilaterally be able to decide our living conditions. They have control of everything from rent to security to repairs to parking fees and more. This is where we live and we deserve a voice. The only way for us to have a voice is to be organized. We want an agreement with GWLRA which recognizes the tenants' voice collectively.

As organized neighbours we are fighting for each other. We are fighting for a sustainable future here in our homes. We want to keep our community together, keep our kids in their schools, and keep our dogs in a friendly neighbourhood.

If we don’t do anything there is no reason we should expect positive change. GWLRA insists on charging rent increases that keep pace with open market rates and we should expect yearly increases that reflect that. According to the CMHC average rent has gone up by 5% to 7% nearly every year for the last five years, which is more than twice the provincial guideline for rent increases. Can you afford to keep paying this increase every year? Will your paycheck keep up? If this is happening all across Toronto, where would you move?

Rent controlled buildings are still able to turn a profit. Our only chance to keep building this beautiful community is to organize and fight.

Joining and participating in a tenants association is legally protected. Participating in the tenants association, talking to your neighbours, going to meetings, putting up flags and support posters is your right. This is true regardless of if you are a recent immigrant, a refugee, or are applying for PR. You are covered under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Further more, having power in numbers also means that individual retaliation is much less likely.

Yes. Tenants in Parkdale went on a rent strike in that resulted in a rent reduction and the landlord bargained with the tenants collectively. In other cases tenants associations have been successful getting amenities repaired, won the right to use air conditioners, etc.

While most people have never gone on a rent strike before, it is a powerful tool for us as tenants — but it can be scary to do for the first time.

For those in financial hardships among us, withholding rent is not a choice — it’s a necessity. Either they need that money to feed their family, or they just don’t have it to begin with. If you you are in a position to choose, please choose to stand with your neighbours who aren’t.

We are standing up now not just for today, but for the future. If we don’t do anything now, there is no reason we should expect positive change. Without taking action we should expect annual rent increases to be well above the 2.5% guideline. The CMHC average rent has regularly gone up by 5% to 7% nearly every year for the last five years Can you afford to keep paying this increase every year? Will your paycheck keep up? If this is happening all across Toronto, where would you move?

We are fighting for each other. We are fighting for a sustainable future here in our homes. We want to keep our community together, keep our kids in their schools, and keep our dogs in a friendly neighbourhood.

A rent strike is a protest; it is not a crime, but you will be in breach of your lease agreement – meaning that the landlord can threaten, and apply for eviction.

It is true that the landlord can file for eviction for non-payment of rent. However, this is not an immediate process. First the landlord would file an “N4” – this form is a notice of intent to file. Then they would file with the Landlord Tenant Board who will arrange a hearing – which could take months. The more people get involved, the less likely the consequences will be serious for individuals, if it comes to that. Remember you are not alone. We will work together as a team at every step of the way. It is our power in numbers that really protects us.

Once rent is withheld, you should expect GWLRA to send first an informal letter informing you that you have not paid rent and asking you to pay your rent arrears. After that they may file an N4 – which is a notice to file for eviction. After the N4 is sent the landlord will file with the landlord tenant board to ask for an eviction hearing. Tenants do not need to move unless given a formal eviction order by the LTB, after a hearing. This decision could be months away. Again, the important thing is that we make our decisions together at every step of the way.

GWLRA may also choose to frame the work of your neighbours as “harassment” as a way to de-legitimize our tenants association. They may even ask people to testify at the LTB that LHPTA has harassed them. Please, rather than undermine your neighbours, if you are bothered by the LHPTA let us know and we will correct it.

GWLRA may ask you to take down flags on your balcony, or remove posters from your door. You have the right to keep your flags and your posters.

It is also possible that GWLRA might wish to simply offer niceties and individual deals in order to weaken the collective strength of the tenants. The Residential Tenancies Act contains protections to tenants from landlord retaliation when tenants organize (or participate in) a tenants association and/or when tenants try to enforce or secure their rights as tenants. Also, you cannot be evicted for being a member of, or organizing a tenants’ association.

The Landlord can apply to garnish wages for unpaid rent and for non-payment of rent to affect credit during the hearing at the LTB. This is not always granted, and is a step that is taken farther down the line.

Put a stop payment, then let the LHPTA know you are committing to rent striking. Tell your neighbours about your decision.

Yes, history is filled with examples of tenant organising for collective bargaining. In Toronto in August 2017, a rent strike by 300 tenants in Parkdale ended in victory. The tenants withheld over $1 million in rent from one the biggest landlords in the GTA, visited the home of an investor in upscale Forest Hill, and shut down a hearing at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) to stop a rent increase. The rent strikers came out on top and the landlord agreed to lower rent.