Standing Up for Tenants at 500 Dawes – City begins $120,000 in repairs
Don Valley Community Legal Services has been assisting the tenants of 500 Dawes Road in East York for several years. We were thrilled to the City of Toronto finally take remedial action at the building.
Last summer, we joined the tenants and ACORN when Mayor Olivia Chow visited the building. The tenants showed her the various maintenance and repairs issues in common areas and within units. The landlord has not complied with the City’s property standards orders, neglecting to keep the building in a state of good repair.
We stand in solidarity with the tenants and have advocated for the City to take remedial action. Recently, Mayor Chow moved item EX29.14 – Cracking Down on Bad Landlords at City Council. You can read our joint letter with ACTO in support of remedial action online here. We were pleased to support Mayor Chow’s recommendations and provide our expertise.
We applaud Mayor Chow for her efforts to get this work done and applaud City Council for voting to move forward with remedial action. This is a power the City has and can use when landlords fail to comply.
The work began on April 20, 2026. The City is overseeing $120,000 worth of work and repairs.
We also greatly appreciate and commend the ongoing efforts of ACORN and lead tenant, Ryan Endoh. Thank you to the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights for helping the tenants with their tenant applications as well.
We hope the remedial action makes a difference for the tenants, and we hope the City will continue to use its powers and bylaws to help renters.
Read the Toronto Star Article here: https://www.thestar.com/real-estate/city-begins-120000-in-repairs-at-500-dawes-says-costs-will-be-charged-back-to-landlord/article_235b6f6e-e804-4587-a794-b46563a0af3d.html