- Understanding Eviction Orders in Ontario Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board issues eviction orders that require tenants to pay rent arrears and a daily occupation rate beyond the eviction date.
- Purpose of Daily Occupation Rate This daily rate is included to encourage tenants to vacate quickly after an eviction order, compensating landlords for the illegal occupation of their property without needing further legal action.
- Potential for Abuse Unfortunately, some landlords misuse this system. They may falsely claim daily occupation rates, forcing tenants to pay thousands without proof, affecting their credit and potentially garnishing wages.
- Legal Loopholes Current laws offer little protection. Filing false claims is a criminal offense, but consequences are minimal in civil hearings or with credit bureaus, leaving tenants with an uphill battle to prove their innocence.
- Call for Legislative Action To address these issues, there are actionable steps:
- Increase Penalties: Amend the Residential Tenancies Act to impose substantial fines on landlords making false claims.
- Simplified Legal Processes: Allow tenants to challenge claims through the Landlord and Tenant Board, streamlining the process and reducing costs.
- Deadline Implementation: Set deadlines for landlords to apply daily occupation rates after an eviction to prevent retroactive claims.
6. Regulation of Credit Bureaus Both federal and provincial governments should enforce stricter regulations on credit bureaus. This includes ensuring easier removal of false claims and better customer service responsiveness.
7. Conclusion It’s crucial for Ontario to protect renters from unjust practices. By implementing these changes, we can ensure fairness and prevent landlords from exploiting vulnerable tenants. Let’s advocate for a system that works for everyone.