Tenant Not Paying Rent and Hiding Behind COVID-19

[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 is receiving CERB, but still refuses to pay.

I've issued a N4 as well as a L1, and have asked him multiple times to make partial payments as well as offering him cash for keys.  The courts are backed up and aren't hearing eviction cases despite the L1 having been served.

With June on the horizon, I don't expect any rent coming in. He's  until he's forced out (which could be months), and would cost me a fortune in missed rent.  I'm desperate as this is risking me losing the property.

I would appreciate any suggestions or guidance here.  Thank you in advance.

[Carleton C.]

@Navroze Pirza unfortunately I don’t think there’s much you can do with the moratorium on evictions. I would say reach out to an attorney, but there’s little they can do right now. The only other suggestion I have is to maybe increase the amount in your cash for keys offer.