Hamilton Landlord Fined $100K for Illegal Renovictions That Displaced Tenants
A Hamilton landlord illegally renovicted four long-term tenants—including a senior and a minimum-wage worker—and now faces a $100,000 fine. Justice of the Peace Linda Crawford delivered the ruling, which many are calling a landmark moment for tenant rights in Ontario.
What Happened?
Kevin Moniz, owner of a five-unit apartment building at 309 Strathearne Ave., evicted tenants under the premise of renovations. Under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act, landlords must give tenants the chance to move back in after completing renovations. All four tenants told Moniz in writing they wanted to return.
Instead, Moniz re-rented the units — at more than double the original rent — without offering the right of return. One unit that rented for under $700 now rents for $1,500.
Tenants Left Struggling
Moniz evicted Darlene Wesley, one of the tenants who had lived in her unit for nearly 20 years. She and her daughter now pay $2,000/month to live together elsewhere — an arrangement she called a “nightmare.”
Tenant Robert Jewel said he has been couch surfing since losing the home he lived in for 25 years. He broke down in court describing the moment he saw someone else living in his old unit. “I cried that night,” he said. “It’s like I’m a second-class citizen now.”
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Crawford said Moniz acted deliberately and prioritized profits over people. “There was quite a bit of foresight to renovate apartments and essentially flip them,” she noted.
Fines and Legal Impact
The court found Moniz guilty on four counts of knowingly denying tenants their legal right to return. He received a $25,000 fine for each violation, adding up to $100,000, and the court gave him two weeks to pay. The court also fined Cornerstone Select Properties, the property management company involved.
Crawford ruled the company failed to ensure Wesley could move back in, despite knowing about the tenants’ rights. Cornerstone must pay $25,000 plus a $6,250 victim surcharge. Its president, Jeff Varcoe, said the penalty could bankrupt the company.
Enforcement Still Rare
Ontario’s Rental Housing Enforcement Unit laid the charges — a rare move. In all of 2022, total fines across the province reached only $121,800. This single case nearly matched that number.
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The decision has been celebrated by tenants as a sign of progress. Wesley, despite losing her home, called it “a good place to start.” She hopes it sends a clear message: landlords cannot push out tenants without consequences.
What do you think — should Ontario impose even steeper penalties to stop illegal renovictions?
More…
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/landlord-charge-fine-1.7544931
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/559253404188953/posts/9905051369609063
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