Toronto's 'worst landlord' hit with new charges after jail sentence

Just weeks after receiving a jail sentence, the woman dubbed by local media outlets as "Toronto's worst landlord" has been fined once again over safety violations at one of the city's most notorious apartment buildings.

Carolyn Krebs, who owns troubled rental properties near Victoria Park Avenue and St. Clair Avenue East, was sentenced last month to 15 days in custody and ordered to pay $120,000 in fines as well as a mandatory 25 per cent victim fine surcharge after being convicted under Ontario's Fire Protection and Prevention Act in connection with 608 Dawes Rd.

Now, Krebs is facing additional penalties tied to another property she owns at 500 Dawes Rd., a high-rise apartment building that's become synonymous with years of tenant complaints and deteriorating living conditions.

On Tuesday, Havcare Investments Inc., the registered owner of 500 Dawes Rd., and Krebs, a director of the company, were sentenced in Provincial Offences Court after being convicted under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act. 

The court imposed a fine of $300,000 on Havcare Investments Inc., along with a fine of $20,000 to Carolyn Krebs, plus a mandatory 25 per cent victim fine surcharge in relation to the charges.

According to Toronto Fire Services, the charges stemmed from failures to comply with fire safety requirements at the building.

"Compliance with the Ontario Fire Code is not optional, it is a legal obligation that exists to safeguard lives, property, and the safety of responding firefighters. When these requirements are not met, the consequences can be serious and far-reaching," said Fire Chief Jim Jessop in a news release.

"Property owners are responsible for ensuring their buildings meet fire safety standards at all times. Where there is a failure to comply, Toronto Fire Services will take appropriate enforcement action to hold those responsible accountable and reduce the risk to residents and communities."

For more than two decades, tenants at 500 Dawes Rd. Have reported living with hazardous conditions, recurring maintenance issues, mould, mice, bedbugs, and other pest infestations. Residents have also complained about water-damaged ceilings, deteriorating balconies, and repairs that have reportedly gone unaddressed for years.

As a result, Krebs has earned a notorious reputation among tenants and housing advocates, with local media frequently referring to her as "Toronto's worst landlord."

Following more than 170 orders and violations accumulated by Krebs at her properties, Mayor Olivia Chow visited 500 Dawes Rd. Last month. There, she announced that the City of Toronto would be providing relief and repairs to the building and billing Krebs $200,000 for the work.

Under Toronto's RentSafeTO program, 500 Dawes Rd. has a current building evaluation score of 39 per cent, with a note that the property requires "significant improvement."