City of Kitchener studying renoviction bylaws; considering implementation in 2026
The City of Kitchener is working behind the scenes to research the rollout of renoviction bylaws around Ontario, and will use that knowledge to eventually implement some rules for local landlords.
However, delegates who spoke at a council meeting on Monday believe the city needs to take action now to save victims of renovictions from ending up without a home.
City staff are currently preparing a report, set to be discussed at a meeting in June, that will give insights into the implementation of renoviction bylaws in Hamilton.
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“I don’t want to wait for that report, I don’t have time. My son doesn’t have time,” said Breanna Elaine Hill, a Kitchener resident who spoke at Monday’s meeting.
Staff explained that the earliest date of implementation would be in January, 2026 due to budget and staffing constraints.
“We believe council and staff have all the information they need to start this process right now,” said Jacquie Wells, interim chair for Waterloo Region ACORN.
In a written submission to council, ACORN claims that the provincial government has had seven years to stop renovictions, but to this point, they haven’t, adding that they believe the provincial government has no desire “to maintain affordability in rental housing and to stop no fault evictions.”
“This is why municipalities across Ontario have stepped up to the plate to protect tenants,” wrote ACORN. “ACORN is urging the City of Kitchener to do the same.”
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Under the renoviction bylaw in Hamilton, if a landlord serves a tenant an N13 notice, meaning they wish to evict them to perform extensive renovations, the tenant has the right of first refusal.
If the tenant exercises that right, the landlord must arrange accommodation for the tenant or pay them for the give them a rent gap payment. If they fail to meet this criteria, they will face financial penalty.
Through a motion from Councillor Debbie Chapman, council briefly considered moving the report from staff ahead to April, but the motion was defeated.
The report on staff findings will come to council chambers in June.
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