Cabbagetown's Riyah Cafe faces eviction in landlord dispute over unclear charges
Chef Wafa El Rhazi has been in a months-long battle over taxes, maintenance, and insurance costs that her landlord claims she owes between $5,000 and $11,000.
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Riyah Cafe has been open less than a year and has quickly gained popularity, particularly now with Morocco's World Cup run. But behind the success, chef and owner Wafa El Rhazi has been consumed with a financial dispute with her landlord that threatens the restaurant's survival.
At the heart of the conflict are charges for taxes, maintenance, and insurance—what commercial tenants typically pay on top of rent. El Rhazi claims the landlord hasn't been clear about how the end-of-year charges were calculated, and the amounts owed have fluctuated between $5,000 and $11,000. "The only thing we are asking is show us the receipts. Show us the invoice. Show us the supporting documentation that proves those amounts, and we'll pay," she said.
The dispute escalated on June 8 when El Rhazi was served with a notice of default in the amount of $7,500, with days to pay or face eviction. Ontario's commercial tenant law allows landlords to evict tenants after 15 days for unpaid rent, even if the tenant disputes the charges. The couple has managed to avoid eviction by staying on the property 24/7.
NDP MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam flagged the situation as a broader problem, noting Ontario's Commercial Tenancies Act, now nearly 40 years old, needs review to prevent similar situations. She said one change she's interested in pursuing is a standardized commercial lease to make agreements clearer. For now, the restaurant remains open and ready to welcome supporters when Morocco faces Canada in the World Cup Round of 16 on Saturday.
