Social Planning Toronto (SPT) organized and facilitated five community consultations with service providers and housing advocates on the issue of private-sector rental housing in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). These consultations were carried out in partnership as with the University of Toronto’s NCRP to inform its research and policy agenda on private-sector rental housing.

Participants identified some positive aspects of private-sector rental housing in their respective areas, including a diversity of private-sector rental housing types, some responsive landlords and superintendents, an increase in tenant organizing and tenant voice, some buildings in a state of good repair, neighbourhoods with good local amenities, strong community leaders in tenant communities, and tower communities as a site for positive cultural connections for newcomers.

Participants also identified a long list of problems in private-sector rental housing. These included lack of affordability; maintenance problems; cockroach, rodent and bedbug infestations; landlords who break the law and intimidate tenants; residents who are unaware of their rights as tenants and/or fear retribution from landlords; problems with the Landlord-Tenant Board and weak protections for tenants; precarious rental situations; violence and safety issues; discrimination in housing; language barriers; lack of accommodation for people with mental health issues; physical accessibility problems; unmet legal needs of tenants; weak political representation to advocate for tenants; and tenant experiences of stress and despair.

Participants identified possible solutions and improvements, including a few current initiatives under way and recommendations for change. Recommendations involved tenant organizing and advocacy, landlord engagement, program and system change, and structural change initiatives.