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"Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice."
                                                                        - Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)

Welcome!


Neighbourhood Legal Services (NLS) is relocating. Please stay tuned for an update when we are settled in at our new location.. 

NLS is a non-profit and independent community legal clinic that has been serving the community since 1973.  We provide FREE legal services and assistance to low income individuals who live within our catchment area and qualify for our services.  

We are funded by Legal Aid Ontario 

We are part of the Association of Community Legal Clinics of Ontario





















































































































































What's new

        650 Parliament Fire
 
On August 21, 2018 there was a major fire at 650 Parliament St. As a result the residents were evacuated from the 300+ unit apartment building. At this time the landlord is not able to confirm a date when tenants can return to their homes.
 
The fire originated in the building’s main electrical room and spread throughout the building’s electrical system and caused extensive damage to that system and much of the equipment. Presently the building is without general power and has only very limited functioning. The lack of power means that fire and life safety systems, including fire alarms are not operative, there is very limited elevator service and individual apartments have no power. Obviously normal living in the building is not possible.
 
The Toronto Fire Marshall has dictated that access to the building must be limited and granted only on very restrictive terms:
  • Residents must be escorted by building security personnel when entering the building
  • The landlord had to install emergency lighting in the stairwells
  • Air quality must be monitored
  • Access will not be granted outside of daylight hours
     
    In these circumstances the building’s owners are requiring tenants who wish to enter the premises sign a waiver in favour of the landlord. The waiver states that only claims arising from the entry at this time are covered by the waiver.
     
    Unfortunately challenging this requirement is not likely to be very practical. The landlord has indicated that access to the building will not be given indefinitely since they do not want residents in the building when work is being done and they want the elevators available for workers. Challenging the waiver requirement will have to go through a legal process and will take time; most people are trying to get their belongings as soon as possible.
     
    It may be the case that the waiver isn’t enforceable. Those signing it state that they are signing voluntarily and not under compulsion or duress. Obviously no other options are available.
     
    For more information and for information about additional help the landlord has set up a web site detailing help available and up to date status reports. See: www.wpsq.ca 
     
    Given that we do not know yet how long repairs will take or how long the wait is to replace burnt out equipment, it is too early to talk about tenants being compensated for their additional living expenses or for their lives being interrupted. In the meantime, to discuss more personal concerns please contact the clinic at 416-861-0677.

NLS IS MOVING
Effective Tuesday June 12th at 1pm our office at 333 Queen St. E. Toronto will be permanently closed. Unfortunately our new office at #101- 163 Queen St. E. will not be available until later this summer.

While it will not be business as usual, we expect to continue providing service during this interim period.

To contact us please call our regular number (416-861-0677) or send us an email at NLSst1@lao.on.ca. 

We apologize for any inconvenience during this period and look forward to meeting you at our new location after it opens.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

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E-FILING AT THE LANDLORD & TENANT BOARD

Tenants can now electronically file applications about Tenant Rights and Maintenance through the Landlord & Tenant Board's website. Click here to e-file your application.
OUR HOUSING DROP-IN HOURS ARE CHANGING

As of June 1, 2015, there will only be one weekly drop-in for housing issues every Thursday from 2pm to 4pm. We will no longer offer drop-in services on Mondays. Please click here to learn more about our drop-in services.
Clients can continue to contact us during regular office hours in person or over the telephone to complete intake and schedule appointments.
NLS is participating in CASSA's 5th Annual Racism Free Ontario initiative. CLICK HERE to get involved and learn more about the campaign.
NLS's History

In commemoration of our 40th Anniversary, we compiled an overview of our history of serving the community since 1973. Click here to read Our History, or find it under 'About Us' in the navigation menu.
You can find older events that were advertised on this website on our Events Archive. 





















































































































































Blogs

Middle-class injustice: Too wealthy for legal aid, too pinched for 'average' lawyers' fees

Canadian Groups to Urge UN to Press Canada on Housing, Poverty and Justice

Ontario Simplifies Medical Reviews for People on Disability Support

Supreme Court's Historic Judgement on Humanitarian & Compassionate Decisions

Employment Law Services For Low-Income Workers

Child Poverty & Canada's Immigration Policies

Access and Justice

Kanthsamy and the 30th Anniversary of the Supreme Court's Singh Decision

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Legal Clinics are looking at how we can improve our services

Right to Housing Case: NLS Representing Intervenors

Why do people become homeless?

Vision Report: The GTA Clinics Transformation Project

Submissions to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration on Bill C-24 - Strengthening Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Act

Submission to the Law Society on Accrediting Trinity Western University's Law School

This Family Day, NLS Celebrates Launch of Family Reunification Knowledge Hub

Buried Alive: The Human Rights Implications of Compulsive Hoarding in a Landlord-Tenant Context

Submission to the Land Use Planning and Appeal System Consultation

Supreme Court Strikes Down Prostitution Laws

Ontario has reinstated basic health care for refugees

Addressing trauma is part of recovery

New Co-op Housing Laws: Less than meets the eye

Immigration Law Update: Proposed Changes to the Definition of "Dependent Children"

NLS: Past and Future

Important Changes to Social Assistance (OW and ODSP)

Landmark 'Right to Housing' Case dismissed by Superior Court

Access to Justice in Canada is "abysmal"

Key Issues in ODSP Reform

200 Wellesley Street Fire - Class Action Law Suit Settled 

Ontario tenants hammered with double-digit rent hikes

Legal Advocates Call for Action by TCHC, City of Toronto, the Province: Ombudsman Finds Seniors in Community Housing Unfairly Evicted

Co-operative Housing, Eviction and Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) Subsidies

Apply for Citizenship Now to Protect your Status!

Toronto’s Housing Stabilization Fund Replaces Community Start up & Maintenance Benefit