Seniors in a life lease apartment challenge a capital levy

My name is Paul Freeman, and I’m fundraising on behalf of family members and other residents of Wyndham Gardens—a life lease seniors’ residence in Unionville, Ontario.

Wyndham Gardens is demanding that its elderly residents pay a capital levy to fund a $2.1 million roof repair, with some individuals—many in their 80s and 90s—being told they must contribute tens of thousands of dollars each. Those who cannot pay are being threatened with default.

These residents do not own their units. Unlike condominium owners, life lease residents at Wyndham Gardens prepaid for the right to live in their units but have no equity or ownership stake. Most signed these agreements with the clear understanding that major capital repairs would be the responsibility of the building owner—not the residents.

A lawyer representing the residents agrees that they should not be liable for this cost under the terms of their life lease agreements. Nonetheless, Wyndham Gardens is pressuring them to pay and to force compliance.

This has created immense stress and financial hardship for seniors on fixed incomes who believed they had secured a stable, predictable home for the rest of their lives. They had no say in the decision to undertake this costly repair and are now being forced to bear the burden of it.

We are raising funds to help cover legal fees for arbitration or court proceedings to protect the rights of these vulnerable residents.

Please consider supporting this cause. Every donation—large or small—helps stand up for justice, dignity, and the well-being of our seniors.

Thank you for your compassion and generosity.

Paul Freeman

Family member of Wyndham residents