A 91-year-old woman living in a seniors’ apartment building in Windsor, Ontario, recently had an eviction notice deemed “defective” by a tribunal, bringing relief and gratitude to Sylvia Berk. Berk, along with other tenants at the I.L. Peretz House, faced significant rent hikes, sparking a conflict between residents on fixed incomes and the landlord citing rising costs.
Representing the tenants, Ghadeer Jwad of JLaw Solutions highlighted the broader impact of the case, noting that over 30 units received similar rent increases. Berk, a long-time resident subsidized by the Windsor Jewish Federation-affiliated non-profit, saw her rent jump from $450 to $700 per month last year, leading to the eviction notice due to unpaid higher rates.
The landlord, the I.L. Peretz Senior Citizen Corporation, argued for an exemption from the standard 2.5% rental increase limit, claiming the building’s designated housing status. However, the tribunal ruled in favor of the tenants, stating that the landlord failed to prove ownership by a qualifying entity, thus deeming the eviction notice unlawful.
While the landlord had the option to seek payment for the allowed increase, no action was taken by the specified deadline. As other tenants prepare to challenge their rent hikes, Berk encourages her fellow residents to remain hopeful and believes a positive resolution is on the horizon for all.