Tenants are all too often taken advantage of by avaricious, unscrupulous and exploitative landlords. The reason this happens, economists say, is that as a group consumers they can’t band together to protect their common interests. Ottawa’s recent Tenants’ Conference, which did just the opposite, proves this is not always the case.
Ottawa, which lacks strong organizations dedicated to protecting tenants, must build on the momentum provided by the Tenants’ Conference. Further projects should be modelled on the excellent example provided by Toronto. Among the tenant services available in that city are legal funds for tenants and a website listing landlord by-law violations.
With more condominium complexes being built in Ottawa, the likelihood that tenants will be pressured out of their homes is increasing.
If the city continues to approve these projects, which benefit wealthy developers, it should also take steps to mitigate the negative effects these projects can have on tenants.
The city could do this by providing more funding and support to Ottawa Housing Help, the group that hosted the recent Tenants’ Conference.
–Jeffrey Davis