In response to N13 evictions in Toronto\u2019s west end community of Parkdale, tenants attempted to deliver a letter to landlord Evan Johnsen demanding that he drop the evictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
Tenants of the building 12 Lansdowne showed up at 8 a.m. this morning to Johnsen\u2019s residence on King Strett. However, Johnsen was not present and did not meet with them.<\/p>\n
The letter was given to a woman named Amy Stoddart instead, who identified herself as Johnsen\u2019s ex-wife. Stoddart said she is no longer affliliated with Johnsen's properties.<\/p>\n
Prior to today\u2019s events, tenants said Johnsen could not be reached by phone or email regarding the evictions.<\/p>\n
The evictions stem from early January, when the 23-unit building of 12 Landsdowne received notices for extensive renovations to the rental units\u2014a tactic that Johnsen allegedly has used before with buildings he owns around Toronto.<\/p>\n
According to the affordable housing organization Parkdale Organize, they write on their website<\/a> that Johnsen used similar eviction notices on a building at 795 College St.<\/p>\n \"The \u2018renoviction\u2019 tactic has long been part of Johnsen\u2019s playbook and his history of buying up rental properties and pushing tenants out their homes is well documented,\" the post reads.<\/p>\n Further, the website post reads that Johnsen has tried to evict other Parkdale residents before, but was met with other tenants organizing each time.<\/p>\n N13 evictions are defined as landlords requesting to demolish, repair or convert apartment units.<\/p>\n