A resident in Kensington Market expressed frustration over the frequent presence of rats in the vicinity of Ellen Avenue, located behind her property. She called for the city to address the cleanliness and rat infestation issues on the street. However, the city stated that it does not own the property, and the ownership of the area remains unclear.
Cristina Enrietti, who owns three houses near Ellen Avenue, described the area as dirty, with needles, garbage, and a significant rat problem, particularly at night. Ellen Avenue falls under the category of orphaned properties in the city, which are neglected due to the lack of identifiable owners for over a century.
According to CBC Toronto’s investigation, the last known transfer of Ellen Avenue ownership dates back to 1898. Since the last recorded owner passed away in 1922, the street has been without a designated owner. City Councillor Dianne Saxe acknowledged the issue and expressed sympathy for the homeowners but indicated limited actions the city can take currently.
Local historian Adam Wynne highlighted the presence of numerous orphaned properties in Kensington and speculated that there could be hundreds to thousands citywide. He proposed a comprehensive survey by the city to assume control of these properties for proper maintenance and potential development opportunities.
Real estate lawyer Bob Aaron explained that orphaned properties stem from historical land development practices, leading to challenges in maintenance and ownership. Aaron emphasized the lack of financial value in these properties and the reluctance of any party to take responsibility for their upkeep.
Enrietti emphasized her concerns as a taxpayer, expecting the city to play a role in ensuring cleanliness and safety in her neighborhood. While efforts are being made by City Councillor Saxe to address the situation on Ellen Avenue and orphaned laneways, challenges persist in finding viable solutions due to the properties’ limited utility and lack of ownership clarity.
There are hopes that future property owners adjacent to these laneways may voluntarily assume responsibility for their maintenance, although skepticism remains regarding the feasibility of such arrangements. Despite potential challenges, ongoing discussions are underway to explore possible resolutions for the orphaned properties issue in Toronto.