Toronto Tenants End 2-Year Dispute with Landlord Amid Eviction Threats

UPDATE: In a significant development, tenants at three buildings on Thorncliffe Park Drive in Toronto have reached a crucial agreement with their landlord, Starlight Investments, ending a heated two-year rent dispute. The announcement comes just days after tenants, numbering around 100, faced eviction threats for withholding rent due to deteriorating living conditions.

As of September 5, 2025, tenants have confirmed they are no longer withholding rent, following what they describe as an “amicable” resolution. Specific terms of the agreement remain confidential, but the outcome has been hailed as a powerful victory for tenant organizing.

Tenant organizer Philip Zigman remarked on the significance of this win, stating, “The fact that tenants got an acceptable agreement speaks to the power of working-class organizing.” This victory not only alleviates the immediate threat of eviction but also sets a precedent for other renters facing similar challenges across the city.

The protest began in May 2023, when residents from 71, 75, and 79 Thorncliffe Park Dr. ceased rent payments in response to escalating rent hikes coupled with worsening building conditions. Their collective action garnered widespread media attention and inspired similar movements in other parts of Toronto.

Following the Thorncliffe Park tenants’ lead, residents at 33 King Street and 22 John Street in the west and tenants at 1440 and 1442 Lawrence Avenue West also initiated rent strikes. An organizer from the York South-Weston Tenant Union reported that the strike at the King and John Street locations concluded after 16 months, with both parties arriving at an agreeable resolution.

Moreover, renters at the Lawrence Avenue buildings celebrated a significant milestone when the Landlord and Tenant Board issued an interim order mandating repairs for over 100 units, highlighting the urgent need for landlord accountability.

This recent resolution in Thorncliffe Park underscores the impact of tenant solidarity and the importance of collective action in advocating for better living conditions. As similar movements gain traction, other Toronto tenants are encouraged to organize and assert their rights against unjust rental practices.

Stay tuned for further updates on developments in tenant rights and housing issues across Toronto and beyond.