Tenant Win in Kitchener–Waterloo: Organizing Reduces AGI & Eliminates Retroactive Rent

By Michelle Secours, Waterloo Region ACORN member and 195 Fifth Ave tenant leader

When tenants at 195, 196, 207, and 210 Fifth and Sixth Avenue received notice of an Above Guideline Increase (AGI) hearing, organizing began immediately. After attending an ACORN meeting and connecting with an ACORN organizer, an intake form was created to track unit issues, rent increases, and tenant contacts. It quickly became clear that many residents were already facing above‑guideline increases without understanding why.

To close that gap, two tenant meetings were organized at Kingsdale Community Centre—23 tenants attended the first session and 19 attended the second follow-up. In plain language, we broke down the difference between an AGI and the provincial guideline increase, explained what tenants could be facing with the rent increase, including retroactive pay combining the above guideline increase and the annual guideline increase dating back to May 2024—resulting in over a full month’s worth of rent, and walked through how to access the Tribunals Ontario portal, and prepared tenants for what happens at Case Management versus Merit Hearings.

That preparation showed up at the hearing. About 8–9 tenants attended the Case Management Hearing ready to speak. A breakout-room discussion allowed tenants to share information, build on each other’s understanding, and align on a collective position in real time.

The result: the AGI was reduced from 3.65% to 2.5%, and retroactive rent back to May 2024 was eliminated—a meaningful, immediate financial win!

Given the risks of proceeding to a Merit Hearing, tenants felt that securing a negotiated outcome was a tangible relief.

Tenants also encountered systemic barriers, including limited transparency in L5 documentation, ongoing issues with the Tribunals Ontario portal (evidence uploads failing despite valid PINs), and tight timelines that restrict participation and the ability to raise broader concerns.

What this shows: early organizing and clear, accessible education increase turnout, confidence, and results. Even small, local meetings can shift outcomes, and Case Management Hearings can be powerful leverage points when tenants show up together.

Strong turnout, shared concerns, and continued communication now point toward forming a tenant association with ACORN—building lasting power for what comes next. Together, we’ll join ACORN’s efforts to eliminate these types of egregious rent hikes entirely.

Bottom line: organized tenants reduced an AGI and eliminated retroactive rent increase. Organizing works.