Moroccan restaurant Rayah Cafe in Cabbagetown fighting eviction over unclear landlord charges
The chef-owner and her husband are in a dispute over taxes, maintenance and insurance charges that have fluctuated between $5,000 and $11,000.
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A Moroccan restaurant on Parliament Street near Carlton in Cabbagetown is on the brink of closure after about a year in business, caught in a dispute with its landlord over charges for taxes, maintenance, and insurance.
Wafa El Rhazi, the chef and owner of Rayah Cafe, and her husband and business partner, Zaky Hajji, say they've been consumed by financial disputes with their landlord over end-of-year facility charges. The amounts presented to them have fluctuated between $11,000 and $5,000, and El Rhazi says the landlord has not provided clear documentation showing how the charges were calculated.
"The only thing we are asking is show us the receipts," she said. "Show us the invoice. Show us the supporting documentation that proves those amounts, and we'll pay."
On June 8, El Rhazi was served with a notice of default for $7,500, giving her days to pay or face eviction. She has refused and placed the disputed amount in trust with her lawyer pending proper documentation.
Ontario's Commercial Tenancies Act allows landlords to evict tenants after 15 days for unpaid rent, even if the tenant disputes the charges. To avoid eviction, the couple has remained on the property around the clock. The restaurant, which has grown popular particularly with Morocco's World Cup run, remains open and is ready to host supporters during Saturday's match against Canada.
