In the pursuit of housing due to a previous terrible landlord, I had a terrible experience with a landlord at 2097 Dufferin St in Toronto and wanted to warn others of this brutal landlord who has a history of shady behaviour. the entire process was full of illegal deposit requests, a non‑standard lease packed with void clauses, invasive demands for personal and family financial information, constant contradictions, and pressure tactics, and even after everything fell apart they kept money they were never legally entitled to; between the illegal “holding fee,” attempts to collect multiple months of deposits, discriminatory screening questions, and trying to rewrite or void agreements after signing, it became clear this was not a safe or lawful rental situation, so if you’re considering a unit there, please be cautious and insist on the official Ontario Standard Lease and proper RTA‑compliant practices.

WARNING!! Landlord (802 Ossington Ave, Toronto). Over six years, he engaged in a documented pattern of illegal entries, harassment, false accusations, and interference with my household. He ignored unsafe living conditions (mold, rodents, broken stairs), installed a camera facing my private entrance without notice, involved police as intimidation, and even made false statements under oath at the LTB. I filed the first claim against him and he retaliated with countless filings. He coerced other tenants to stop paying rent, promised one lower rent “once he evicted me,” and filed retaliatory applications after I asserted my rights. His behaviour directly caused financial loss, instability, and ultimately forced me and my infant to move. If you’re considering renting from him, please be extremely cautious the pattern of misconduct is long, well‑documented, and deeply harmful. I won my LTB case against him for illegal rent increases and we are in a year long proceeding for the harassment and coercion mentioned above! He is a "Registered architect"-more like registered CON artist. She is a CBC anchor.. wonder what that news might think of all this. Toronto landlords will do anything to get what they want...

WARNING!! Landlord Ben Embir (802 Ossington Ave, Toronto). Over six years, he engaged in a documented pattern of illegal entries, harassment, false accusations, and interference with my household. He ignored unsafe living conditions (mold, rodents, broken stairs), installed a camera facing my private entrance without notice, involved police as intimidation, and even made false statements under oath at the LTB. I filed the first claim against him and he retaliated with countless filings. He coerced other tenants to stop paying rent, promised one lower rent “once he evicted me,” and filed retaliatory applications after I asserted my rights. His behaviour directly caused financial loss, instability, and ultimately forced me and my infant to move. If you’re considering renting from him, please be extremely cautious the pattern of misconduct is long, well‑documented, and deeply harmful. I won my LTB case against him for illegal rent increases and we are in a year long proceeding for the harassment and coercion mentioned above! He is a "Registered architect"-more like registered CON artist. Considering I paid him and his wife mortgage for so many years with no issues, you think they'd handle me with a bit more respect. She is a CBC anchor.. wonder what that news might think of all this. Toronto landlords will do anything to get what they want...

🚨 PSA: Avoid Landlord Tran Pham

(Ontario, Toronto — RTA violations + predatory behaviour)

Tenants, please be extremely cautious dealing with Tran Pham at 2097 Dufferin Street. What I experienced was a mess of illegal clauses, pressure tactics, and invasive demands that no landlord should ever be making. She led me on for weeks, changed terms constantly, and even took my money........which she still hasn’t returned.

1️⃣ Illegal Deposits + Payment Pressure (RTA Violations)

She asked for a $100 “holding fee” and 2-months rent deposit (illegal in Ontario).
Then she flip‑flopped:

• “It’s not a deposit.”
• “Actually it is part of the deposit.”
• “Send first + last immediately or the lease is void in 24 hours.”

Under the Residential Tenancies Act, landlords can only take last month’s rent — nothing else. No holding fees. No “second last month.” No pressure tactics.

She violated this repeatedly.

2️⃣ Provided an Illegal Lease (Not the Ontario Standard Lease)

She didn’t use the mandatory Ontario Standard Lease.
Instead, she gave me a document full of illegal clauses, including:

• ❌ No‑pets clause (illegal unless the animal is dangerous)
• ❌ Tenant pays for repairs (illegal — repairs are the landlord’s responsibility)
• ❌ Late fees + admin fees (illegal in Ontario)
• ❌ “Second last month’s rent” (completely illegal)
• ❌ Restrictions on outdoor/common areas that contradict tenant rights

Every one of these is void under RTA s.4 — but the fact she included them is a huge red flag. I got the sense she knows she breaking the law and doesn't care since she was admittedly "burned" by tenants in the past.

3️⃣ Invasive + Discriminatory Financial Demands

She demanded:

• My father’s income
• Multiple months of bank statements
• Screenshots of deposits
• Explanations for my credit score
• Details about student loans
• 3 months of pay stubs
• A credit report
• Inquired into if I get child/government benefits...

This is far beyond what a landlord is allowed to ask for.
Demanding parental income is discriminatory.
Demanding bank statements is inappropriate and unnecessary.

This was financial interrogation, not screening.

4️⃣ Contradictions, Gaslighting, and Blame‑Shifting

Any time I asked a reasonable question or pointed out an illegal clause, she became defensive and accused me of “causing friction.” She contradicted herself constantly and tried to rewrite previous agreements even after the lease was signed.

When I finally pushed back, she tried to void the lease — which she legally cannot do once both parties have signed.

5️⃣ She Still Hasn’t Returned My Money

Even after agreeing to cancel the e‑transfer, she has not done it.
She took my money and is still holding it.

That alone should tell you everything.

Bottom Line

This landlord:

• Used an illegal lease
• Demanded illegal deposits
• Pressured me for money
• Asked for discriminatory financial info
• Contradicted herself constantly
• Tried to void a signed lease
• Still hasn’t returned my money

For your own protection, avoid renting from Tran Pham and always make sure your lease is the official Ontario Standard Lease.