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Tenant Advocacy: Rosalyn Wagner’s Eviction Experience Sparks Important Dialogue

A 74-year-old woman, Rosalyn Wagner, has come forward to share her story after being evicted from her home of 26 years, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger tenant protections.

Wagner recounted that her life in a Mount Pleasant rental unit was relatively peaceful until 2019, when the landlord proposed a significant voluntary rent increase. “He said he would like to raise the rent by $445, this is voluntary,” Wagner explained. “He acknowledged that the request was not legal but urged tenants to consider his situation.”

During this difficult period, Wagner’s husband was facing end-of-life care options, a situation the landlord was reportedly aware of. “I thought he would be sensitive to that situation but I guess that didn’t factor in,” she reflected.

Ultimately, she found herself unable to meet the proposed rent increase. Following the death of her husband, Wagner noticed a shift in her landlord’s demeanor, which made her feel increasingly uncomfortable. “He wouldn’t allow me to talk about anything, any issues in the apartment,” she said. She described feeling disrespected, noting that the landlord’s daughter would often give her disapproving glares.

The Vulnerability of Seniors in Rental Situations

“They had no reason to evict me,” Wagner stated emphatically. “I had been a good tenant for 26 years.” Her experience serves as a stark reminder of the precarious position many seniors face in the housing market, particularly when advocacy resources are limited. “If it hadn’t been for others speaking up for me, I would not have had the confidence to disclose my experience,” she remarked. “Don’t let this happen to you. It’s a dreadful experience.”

In response to her situation, Wagner’s supporters created a website to document her ordeal, which can be found here.

Ashley Syer, a lawyer and mediator, addressed the legality of voluntary rent increases, stating that tenants are not required to consent to such requests. “I do hear about this quite a lot,” Syer mentioned. She explained that landlords, particularly those with long-standing tenants, often seek to raise rent based on current market conditions, which may differ significantly from the rates when the tenant first moved in. “Many tenants feel pressured to say yes to these increases due to fears about their housing security,” she added.

In contrast, John Davis, Wagner’s former landlord, expressed that the request for a rent increase was motivated by the need to manage rising costs rather than by simple greed. He also maintained that the eviction was lawful, citing the necessity for his brother to move into the unit. “It had nothing to do with her refusal to increase her rent,” Davis stated.

Now, Wagner has successfully relocated to a new home where she feels safe alongside her dog. “I would have loved to stay there just because of my friends,” she reminisced about her former neighborhood. “I loved my neighborhood but I don’t miss the treatment and the harassment that I had.”

Source
globalnews.ca