Big news for Toronto renters — the city just rolled out a new law that could change everything when it comes to renovictions.
Starting July 31, 2025, landlords will need to get a Rental Renovation Licence before they can legally evict tenants for renovations. This is one of the strongest tenant protections Toronto has ever introduced, and if you're renting in the city, you need to know what this means for you.
What's Changing with Renovictions?
Renovictions have become one of the most common ways landlords force tenants out so they can jack up the rent for the next person. The process is simple: issue an N13 eviction notice, claim the unit needs major renovations, kick out the tenant, do a quick paint job, then re-rent the place for $1,000 more per month.
Under Toronto's new Rental Renovation Licence By-Law, landlords who issue an N13 notice will now have to:
Get a Rental Renovation Licence from the city before evicting tenants
Give tenants the right to return at the same rent after renovations are done
Provide compensation or temporary housing while work is happening
Pay severance equal to three months of rent if the tenant chooses not to return
And if landlords break these rules? They're looking at fines up to $1,000 for failing to apply on time, up to $10,000 per day for ongoing violations, and up to $100,000 for wrongful evictions.
Why This Matters for Toronto Renters
Renovictions have become a massive problem in Toronto. Landlords figured out they could use the N13 loophole to get around rent control and push long-term tenants out of affordable units.
This new law makes it much harder for landlords to abuse the system. Now they actually have to prove the renovations are necessary, get city approval, and guarantee tenants can return at the same rent. If they don't follow the rules, they face serious financial penalties.
For renters, this means more stability. If your landlord serves you an N13, you'll have real legal protections — not just empty promises that you can move back in someday.
How the City Justifies It
Toronto says this by-law is designed to stop bad-faith evictions and protect tenants from displacement. The city has seen too many cases where landlords claimed they needed to do major renovations, only to do minor cosmetic work and re-rent at double the price.
By requiring a licence and enforcing the right to return, the city is making it clear that renovictions for profit won't be tolerated anymore.
What Renters Can Do Right Now
Know your rights — if you get an N13 notice after July 31, 2025, your landlord must have a Rental Renovation Licence
Document everything — save all emails, notices, and communication from your landlord
Don't move out right away — you have the right to challenge the eviction at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB)
Check if your landlord got a licence — the city will have a public registry of approved licences
Final Thoughts
This is a big win for Toronto renters. For years, renovictions have been a backdoor way for landlords to get around rent control and push out long-term tenants. Now, with the Rental Renovation Licence By-Law taking effect July 31, 2025, tenants finally have some real protection.
If you're renting in Toronto, bookmark this date. Your rights just got a lot stronger.