08/31/2026
🏘️ Housing in the News: "Landlords accused of ‘constructive evictions’ to reset rents at market rates"
A recent investigation by the Irish Independent looks at landlords refusing to let tenants replace departing roommates, while still expecting the remaining tenants to cover the full rent.
Housing advocates say this can amount to a “constructive eviction”: instead of formally evicting a tenant, a landlord makes it financially impossible for them to stay, then can eventually rent the unit at a higher market rate.
This is a tactic we have also seen in Nova Scotia, although this is the first reporting we’ve seen specifically identifying the practice. And the legal framework here is important: in Nova Scotia, landlords cannot unreasonably refuse a tenant’s request to add a new occupant or tenant, replace a roommate, or reassign their lease.
That means landlords cannot simply refuse a new roommate because they would rather end the existing tenancy and rent the unit to someone new at a higher price.
In a housing crisis, these protections matter. Tenants should not be pushed out of their home because a roommate leaves, particularly when the landlord’s refusal creates a significant financial burden or is being used to reset the rent. Nor should tenants be forced to agree to a new, higher rent because they want to add a roommate.
The experience in Ireland is a useful reminder of what can happen when landlords are given incentives to end existing tenancies - and why policies like rent control with vacancy control are the only way to truly guarantee affordable housing remains affordable.
📰 You can read more at the Irish Independent
