Brantford homeowner Christopher Yong is facing a housing nightmare, caught in a web of alleged stealthy takeovers and extortion attempts by a troublesome tenant. The saga began in 2020 when Yong purchased a house, turning it into separate units. Trouble started brewing when a local contractor, initially hired for construction work, claimed the roof needed fixing, presenting Yong with a $6,000 estimate.
Things took an unexpected turn when the contractor expressed interest in becoming the tenant before Yong even listed the property. Signing a lease in October 2021 for $2,000 a month, the tenant, however, only provided a $2,000 cheque initially, causing tension as Yong needed more to cover mortgage payments.
As weeks passed, the tenant repeatedly tried to buy the house, offering $750,000, well below its appraised value. A series of issues followed, including alleged leaks in the basement, broken appliances costing $1,800 to fix, and a request for a $12,500 perimeter fence installation.
The situation escalated with garbage accumulating around the property, a dog on-site despite lease terms, and changed locks, leaving Yong struggling to maintain control. Fearful of a direct confrontation after overhearing mention of a firearm, Yong sought police intervention, ultimately leading to an eviction notice dropped in the mailbox.
Only recently did Yong discover that the tenant’s grandmother owns a house adjoining his property, where an aunt now resides. The tenant insists on ancestral ties to the land. With no rent paid since June, Yong faces the laborious eviction process in Ontario. Landlords lack the legal right to evict tenants; only the Landlord and Tenant Board can issue an eviction order after a lengthy process involving notices, applications, and hearings, scheduled for January in Yong’s case.
A machine operator earning $2,800 a month, Yong, an immigrant from Jamaica, struggles to make ends meet with a $3,580 monthly mortgage. The tenant’s alleged scheme, withholding rent to force a distressed sale at a reduced price, leaves Yong fearing bankruptcy and home loss. Convinced of deliberate property damage to diminish its value, Yong is caught in a battle where he must repair alleged damages to regain control.
With the hearing scheduled for January, Yong fears bankruptcy and losing his home. The tenant, on the other hand, remains defiant, refusing to comment on the allegations. As this housing nightmare unfolds, the Brantford community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that safeguards homeowners like Christopher Yong from such tenant troubles.