Trends in eviction applications for renovation, demolition or conversion in Toronto

Our latest Housing Market Insight (PDF) report looks at eviction applications submitted for renovation, demolition or conversion in Toronto (development-led eviction). Research on the prevalence of this kind of eviction, which has increased markedly as per eviction application data, is sparse. We completed this work as part of our commitment to address housing data and knowledge gaps.

This report provides insight into the prevalence of development-led evictions in Canada’s largest municipality by using eviction applications as a proxy. Determining the prevalence of, and uncovering trends in, development-led eviction is important, as it an underexplored topic. This topic also relates directly to the potential loss of:

• rental housing for certain households
• limited affordable rental housing options

With this report, we set out to answer the following questions:

1. What has been the prevalence of formal, development-led eviction applications, in and within, the City over time?
2. Was the assumed development-related work, that inspired formal, development-led eviction applications, warranted?
3. Who was submitting formal, development-led eviction applications in the City: existing or new rental property owners?

Key highlights include:

• The prevalence of development-led eviction applications in Toronto was low. Nevertheless, these eviction applications did increase markedly over this period.
• These applications were overwhelmingly concentrated in the former City of Toronto.
• They were more likely to have been submitted for rentals in the secondary rental market than the primary rental market.
• In the City’s primary rental market, applications correlated positively with the widening gap between average asking and average market rents. As the gap widened over time, more applications were submitted.
• Rental units in older structures, in the City's primary rental market, tended to be the subject of development-led eviction applications.
• City locales with a larger share of rental housing identified as requiring major repairs saw a greater number of applications.
• It was relatively common to see development-led eviction applications submitted following sale of a rental property to a new owner.

Download the full report to learn more (PDF)

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Related links

• Housing Market Insights
• Housing Market Outlook
• Housing Market Assessment