Tenants living in three mid-rise apartment buildings in Toronto’s east end have reached an agreement with their landlord after more than two years of tension, rent strikes, and eviction notices. The deal, described as “amicable” by both sides, puts an end to one of the city’s longest tenant protests in recent years.

The conflict centered on three buildings located at 71, 75, and 79 Thorncliffe Park Drive in East York. About 100 residents had stopped paying rent in May 2023 to protest against what they described as worsening living conditions combined with a rent hike.

While the exact details of the new deal remain confidential, tenants confirmed they are no longer withholding rent. The resolution is being seen as a victory for working-class families who organized together to push back against a powerful landlord.

How the Rent Strike Began

The three buildings, which overlook the Don Valley, were purchased by Starlight Investments in 2019 with backing from the Public Sector Pension Investment Board. Property management was handed to Greenwin Corp., a real estate firm that handles daily operations.

Over the years, tenants complained about ongoing disrepair in their apartments and common spaces. Residents pointed to issues such as broken elevators, laundry machines that rarely worked, peeling paint, mould on ceilings, unmown lawns, power outages, and water shutdowns.

In 2023, the situation reached a breaking point when Starlight applied for a rent increase. Many tenants felt it was unfair to face higher rent while their living conditions were deteriorating. That frustration sparked a rent strike, with families collectively refusing to pay until repairs were made and concerns addressed.

Organizing Power in Thorncliffe

Philip Zigman, a tenant organizer who supported the Thorncliffe Park residents, said the outcome shows the strength of ordinary people when they stand together.

“The fact that tenants got a fair agreement speaks to the power of working-class organizing,” he said. “Other tenants across the city who face unfair rent increases or poor living conditions can look at this example and learn how to fight back.”

Although Zigman himself does not live in the buildings, he highlighted the determination of residents who refused to back down against one of Canada’s largest landlords.

“It was a big fight. Tenants in Thorncliffe Park should be proud of their organizing work and proud of their commitment to the struggle,” he said.

A Movement That Spread Across Toronto

The Thorncliffe rent strike was one of the first large-scale protests of its kind in Toronto in recent years. It quickly drew attention from the media, housing activists, and other tenant groups.

Inspired by Thorncliffe residents, renters in other parts of the city soon launched their own rent strikes. Residents at 33 King Street and 22 John Street in Toronto’s west end, as well as tenants at 1440 and 1442 Lawrence Avenue West in the north end, joined the movement.

According to Bruno Dobrusin, an organizer at the York South-Weston Tenant Union, the King and John Street rent strike lasted for 16 months before tenants and their landlord reached a peaceful agreement.

At the Lawrence Avenue buildings, the strike led to an important early victory. The Landlord and Tenant Board issued an interim order forcing the landlord, Barney River Investments, to make repairs in over 100 units. This was celebrated as a “historic” achievement by tenants.

Repairs and Ongoing Disputes

Over the past year, many repairs at the Lawrence Avenue apartments were completed, but problems remain. Tenants continue to raise concerns about broken tiles, damaged walls, mould, peeling paint, and poor upkeep in common areas.

Despite this, Barney River Investments has sought to evict around 100 families, keeping the dispute alive nearly two years after it began. Hearings at the Landlord and Tenant Board are ongoing, but final decisions have yet to be made.

Rules on Rent Increases

In Ontario, landlords are allowed to raise rent each year by a percentage set by the provincial government. For 2025, the cap is three percent for units occupied before November 15, 2018.

However, landlords can also apply for what are called Above Guideline Increases (AGIs). These allow landlords to charge higher rent to cover the cost of major repairs or renovations.

Tenant organizers argue that AGIs are often unfair, as they force residents to pay more even when living conditions remain poor. Dobrusin said tenants are frustrated when landlords demand more money for work that does not improve their daily quality of life.

Landlord’s Response

Starlight Investments has denied claims that it neglected the Thorncliffe Park buildings. In a recent statement, the company said it had invested more than $30 million since 2019 to upgrade infrastructure and improve living conditions.

According to Starlight, more than 22,600 maintenance requests were handled during that time, showing its commitment to resident support.

Penny Colomvakos, the company’s senior vice-president of residential operations, said the landlord remains dedicated to “ongoing improvements in building maintenance.”

Transparency Issues in Rental Housing

Experts point out that complex ownership structures often make it harder for tenants to raise their concerns. In the case of Thorncliffe Park, the buildings were owned by an investment company, managed by Starlight, and operated by Greenwin. This layered structure left many residents unsure of who was ultimately responsible for addressing their problems.

Political economist Ricardo Tranjan called this model of financialized housing a problem.

“There is an incredible lack of transparency,” he said. “It is not a good system for managing housing.”

Tranjan, who wrote The Tenant Class, explained that tenant unions in other parts of Toronto achieved results faster because they were negotiating with a single landlord, rather than a web of companies.

A Symbol of Tenant Power

Despite the challenges, tenant organizers say the Thorncliffe Park strike has been an inspiring example of solidarity and persistence.

“There are many victories to celebrate,” Tranjan said. “From a movement-building perspective, it is a strong show of force and motivation for other groups.”

For the families who took part, the agreement marks the end of a long and stressful chapter. But their fight has left an impression across the city. It has also given hope to countless other renters facing unfair rent hikes, disrepair, and the constant threat of eviction.