Weston tenants rally against third consecutive above-guidelines rent increase

Tenants at a Weston Road apartment building are pushing back against their landlord's third consecutive above-guideline rent increase, as what they call persistent maintenance problems undercut the company's justifications for hiking costs.

At 2255 Weston Rd., owned by Firm Capital, residents have already absorbed two AGIs above the provincial cap of 2.5 per cent, including one as high as 7.5 per cent. The landlord cited repairs—elevator work, flooring, carpet, and balcony upgrades—as the reason for those increases. Now, with another AGI application pending, tenants say the building still has significant unresolved issues: a rat problem, past bug infestations, and two elevators that required the first AGI but remain a maintenance concern.

"Every year we get a rent increase, every single year, and on top of that, they want us to pay AGI," said Susan Cox, a 30-year resident and member of Weston ACORN. She described paying nearly $1,600 in one AGI on top of regular increases. "What do you want people to do? You can't buy food to put on the table."

On Tuesday, more than 20 tenants and ACORN advocates rallied outside the building, demanding Firm Capital withdraw the application and meet with residents. They delivered a letter that included a "Rent Gouger of the Year award" and also reached out to MPP Mohamed Firin's office. Firin's team said it would contact the Ministry of the Attorney General and the Landlord and Tenant Board to inquire about the applications on behalf of tenants.

Tenants are also planning to bring their concerns to City Hall, calling on the provincial government to intervene in what they describe as a pattern that strains residents' ability to afford housing.