A Toronto couple facing eviction claim their landlord has mistaken their farts for smoke after repeatedly accusing them of smoking inside their shared home. The pair believe the air-quality readings behind the complaints could actually be caused by their farting.
SE Grummett and Sam Kruger, who perform together as queer comedy duo Creepy Boys, are challenging an eviction notice from their landlord, Tania Anderson. Their case has reached Ontario's Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), where a written decision remains pending.
Toronto couple faces eviction after landlord allegedly accuses them of contaminating their home’s air quality by “farting too much” pic.twitter.com/M6pHIhLvHr
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Landlord Raises Smoking Concerns
The dispute began in December 2025, when Anderson raised concerns about air-quality readings from a monitor in her upstairs apartment and repeatedly reminded the couple that smoking and vaping are prohibited inside the property.
Grummett and Kruger denied smoking indoors, though Grummett acknowledged occasionally smoking cannabis outside. The couple agreed to install a second monitor in their apartment to further investigate the high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
'We also were concerned. I'd never heard of what a VOC was before,' Kruger recalled, while Grummett added, 'We were worried the house was poisoning us.'
Couple Investigate Air Quality
Between 2 and 9 February, the couple carried out a series of checks to identify the source of the readings. Their efforts included testing whether household appliances, ventilation and other everyday activities were contributing to the problem.
The pair stopped using their gas stove for 48 hours, went without hot water for 24 hours and lived without electricity for a day. They also stopped lighting candles, opened windows when possible and installed extra ventilation above the stove.
The readings increased throughout the day and overnight. The couple then struggled to identify the source, even after spending a full day away from the property.
'I remember one day we had left the home all day, and the number had been really low,' he recalled. 'We felt like we'd hit the wall of being able to investigate this ourselves.'
Landlord Maintains Smoking Allegations
The couple asked Anderson for a professional air-quality assessment at a February meeting. A recording captures her questioning whether they would cover the cost if held responsible.
'That's where we first thought this might be heading towards an eviction scenario,' Kruger recalled. 'It felt like she had made up her mind that we were the source.'
At the same time, Kruger found information on Airthings' website stating that its VOC sensor can detect human breath and other bodily functions. The manufacturer notes that readings may rise overnight in bedrooms as breath and other gases accumulate.
The couple sent this information to Anderson in hopes of clarifying the source of the readings. However, the landlord continued to raise concerns about indoor smoking.
In a 13 May email, Anderson reported that a guest detected a 'skunky smell' near the interior door of the couple's apartment, which she recognised as cannabis smoke. She also stated that elevated VOC readings indicated air quality issues originating from their unit.
Kruger recalled his reaction to the allegations: 'I remember thinking to myself: "How do I prove to this woman that I'm just farting?"'
Landlord Serves Eviction Notice
On 29 June, Anderson served the couple an N12 eviction notice, stating her intention to occupy the entire duplex for health reasons. Grummett and Kruger contested the notice. Their lawyer, Samuel Mason of Parkdale Community Legal, argued it was a no-fault eviction directed at tenants she had previously accused of wrongdoing.
At the 29 October hearing, Anderson submitted weekly Airthings monitor summaries as evidence to support her intention to occupy the property. Mason argued, 'The landlord was clear that this was because of what she was accusing the tenants of doing. She takes issue with these tenants specifically and is trying to evict them on a no-fault basis.'
Couple Raise Legal Funds
On 7 October, Grummett and Kruger launched a GoFundMe campaign for legal expenses. They reached their $2,800 (£2,084) goal within 24 hours and had raised over $3,400 (£2,531) by the time of the original report.
They explained this property was their first long-term home after years of travelling for theatre, offering the stability they needed to create art full-time. The couple secured legal representation from Mason to challenge the eviction notice. Their case remains before the LTB as they await a decision on whether they can stay in their home.
