Thank you to everyone who answered our survey or took part in a group discussion this fall. Here is a summary of what we heard.

Survey

The survey was open from September 17 to October 5, 2025. We received 646 responses. Most respondents (69%) identified as tenants, with 86% currently living in Kitchener. A large majority (94%) were familiar with evictions due to renovations, and 88% knew the term "renoviction." Over 75% agreed or strongly agreed that this is a problem in Kitchener.

Survey respondents strongly supported key bylaw elements to protect tenants, such as:

• Requiring landlords to apply for a licence within a specified timeframe after an N13 is served to a tenant.
• Ensuring landlords provide tenants with information about their rights and compensation.
• Guaranteeing tenants can return to their unit after renovations at the same rent.
• Mandating landlords offer temporary housing or compensation for moving costs.
• Imposing fines on landlords who break the rules.

Many shared personal stories of being evicted due to renovations, which caused hardship, displacement, and homelessness, especially among seniors, low-income families, and vulnerable populations. There was strong concern about landlords using renovations as a pretext to evict tenants and raise rents unfairly.

While most supported tenant protections, some landlords expressed concerns about increased costs, bureaucracy, and potential impacts on their ability to maintain properties. There was a call for balanced solutions that protect tenants while allowing landlords to do necessary repairs.

Overall, the survey results highlight widespread recognition of evictions due to renovations as a serious issue in Kitchener and strong community support for a bylaw with clear rules, tenant protections, and enforcement to prevent bad-faith evictions and promote housing stability.

Group discussions

The survey results were also reflected in the group discussions where residents, tenants, landlords, community groups, and legal support organizations shared their experiences and perspectives. Some highlights from those discussions included:

• Agreement that the process around renovation-related evictions can be confusing and stressful.
• Strong agreement on the need for clear rules, fair processes, and plain-language information.
• Broad support for better transparency and communication when eviction notices are prepared and served for renovations.
• Tenants and community advocates emphasized the need for stronger protections, better oversight, and support when temporary moves are required.
• Landlords highlighted the importance of a process that is simple, predictable, and not overly burdensome, when major work requires a unit to be empty.
• Both tenants and landlords noted that limited data is currently available, and there is a need to improve the availability and transparency of information related to renovation-based evictions.

What’s next

City staff will use these findings to begin drafting options, including a proposed by-law, for Kitchener City Council to considerin 2026.

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