Evicting during COVID-19 in Ontario Canada

[Navroze Pirza]

Hello everyone,

I'm facing a problem, which I was hoping to get feedback on....

I have a tenant who is refusing to pay any rent (not even partial rent), since April 1, 2020 due to COVID-19. He has likely qualified for and recieved CERB, but still refuses to pay. 

I've issued a N4 as well as a L1, but so far nothing. With June on the horizon, I don't expect any rent coming in.  The courts are backed up and aren't hearing eviction cases, and he is not replying to cash for keys requests.  I have a feeling he's basically hanging on until he's forced out (which could be months), and would cost me a fortune in missed rent.  This SOB doesn't care.

Any suggestions/thoughts?  Thank you very much,

[Huong Luu]

@Navroze Pirza. What a sh** position to be in! I was in a similar situation with a portion of my tenants who just wanted rent forgiveness. The approach I took was writing them a nice email informing them that it is not 'forgiveness' but a deferral. They would have to eventually pay it. Within 5 days, most of the tenants paid. A couple of days before the 1st of the month, I updated the email and resent it and included links for the government programs. I also phoned each and texted each tenants. I know this sounds like a lot of work but it was worth it. The 1st of the month came and most of the tenants paid. I also have in my back pocket a legal contract to garnish their wages in the future, which I haven't had to use yet. 

If you want to avoid having your tenant stay on, offer to pay them to leave. It sucks, but better to have the place to rent to someone else then have no rent. 

Send me a message with you want a copy of the email I used.