- Tenant Troubles: A property management company in Fergus is dealing with the aftermath of a tenant damaging a unit and refusing to pay rent.
- Tenant Background: E-Van Management handles properties for small-scale landlords. Jennifer Kamphuis, representing E-Van Management, explained that the problematic tenant had resided in the building for an extended period.
- Rent Non-Payment: The tenant ceased rent payments in the summer, prompting efforts from the management to resolve the issue and maintain the tenancy.
- Eviction Process: The company filed for eviction on August 30, 2023, with the case proceeding through Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB).
- Lengthy Process: Despite obtaining the eviction order on February 1, it took nearly eight months for the tenant to vacate the premises, with the sheriff executing the order on April 10.
- Similar Cases: Other landlords faced similar challenges, with one instance involving a young couple residing with grandparents due to a non-paying tenant in their property.
- COVID-19 Impact: Kamphuis noted a surge in such cases during the pandemic, attributing it to increased financial strain and backlog at the LTB.
- Legal Perspective: Puneet Shroff, a real estate lawyer, emphasized the importance of accurate paperwork, citing procedural errors that could reset the process.
- LTB Challenges: The LTB faced a significant increase in applications, implementing measures to alleviate backlogs but still encountering delays and financial burdens for landlords.
- Petition for Change: An online petition calling for automatic eviction orders for non-payment of rent gained traction, aiming to streamline the eviction process and ease the burden on the LTB.
- Proposed Solution: Kamphuis supported the petition’s aims, suggesting it would expedite non-payment cases and enable the LTB to focus on other matters.
- Landlord-Tenant Cooperation: Despite challenges, Kamphuis highlighted landlords’ willingness to collaborate with tenants and resolve issues, aiming to support good tenants amidst difficulties posed by problematic ones.
Landlords are reporting a rise in tenants refusing to pay rent or vacate properties.
Published on
