North York, ON: Landlord Shafik Kassam Hides from Beaty Tenants

Report from tenant action in so-called Ontario against landlords attempting to displace renters.

Today our neighbours at 40 Beaty traveled to the affluent Hoggs Hollow neighbourhood in North York to the home of landlord Shaffik Kassam. Their purpose was to demand he drop the above guideline increase and do the repairs in tenants’ units now.

Kassam is a real estate investor who has bought up two Parkdale buildings, 116 Spencer and 40 Beaty. He is attempting to push tenants out of both buildings. At 116 Spencer he has issued bogus eviction notices and stolen tenants belongings from their front porch. At 40 Beaty he has applied to raise the rent above the guideline while neglecting repairs in tenants’ units.

Our neighbours attempted to deliver a letter and work orders but Kassam refused to answer the door. Instead he called police. Toronto Police Services arrived to make sure Kassam would not have to face his tenants. When tenants stood their ground and refused to leave, they were finally able to deliver the letter and work orders.

If Kassam fails to meet our neighbours’ demands by their timeline we are prepared to take further action against him and his business interests.