Atkinson Housing Co-operative Inc. v. Osorio
Atkinson Housing Co-operative Inc.
Law Firm / Organization
Levitt Di Lella Duggan & Chaplick LLP
Lawyer(s)

Timothy M. Duggan

Hector F. Osorio
Law Firm / Organization
Celso Sakuraba Barrister & Solicitor
Lawyer(s)

Celso Sakuraba

Background:

  • The applicant, Atkinson Housing Co-operative Inc., sought a declaration that no member occupies a specific three-bedroom townhouse and requested a writ of possession.
  • The respondent, Hector Osorio, claimed to be a co-op member with occupancy rights and opposed the application.

Key Facts:

  • Mr. Osorio lived in the unit with his spouse until 2011 when he left following a domestic restraining order.
  • In 2018, he formally resigned his co-op membership and confirmed he no longer resided in the unit.
  • His ex-spouse remained in the unit but vacated it in February 2021.
  • Mr. Osorio moved back in afterward but did not reapply for membership.
  • The Landlord and Tenant Board and the Divisional Court found Mr. Osorio was not a member and upheld his lack of occupancy rights.

Legal Findings:

  1. Membership Status:

    • Mr. Osorio ceased being a co-op member in 2011 and confirmed this in 2018.
    • As a non-member, he lacked legal grounds to occupy the unit.
  2. Jurisdiction:

    • The Landlord and Tenant Board cannot evict non-members from co-op housing. This authority lies with the courts under the Co-operative Corporations Act (s. 171.13).
  3. Writ of Possession:

    • The court found no procedural unfairness or bad faith in the co-op’s actions.
    • Mr. Osorio had no valid claim to the unit, and the co-op was entitled to possession.

Outcome:

  • The court granted the writ of possession, allowing the co-op to reclaim the unit, and denied any delay in enforcement.
  • No monetary award specified.
Superior Court of Justice - Ontario
CV-24-00721454-0000
Civil litigation
Applicant