Victoria's increasingly tight and expensive housing market has prompted what critics describe as a “renoviction” that has the potential to oust tenants who have lived in the same building for four decades.

Eviction notices have been issued to 32 residents of a Cook Street apartment building and they have until the end of March to get out before their suites are renovated.

The Together Against Poverty Society says the tenants will have first right of refusal to return to their suites when the updates are complete, but it's unlikely they will be able to afford what is expected to be a steep rent hike.

Instead, the tenants will meet Friday to decide their next steps and the society is calling for provincial legislation to protect tenants from such evictions.