It is incredibly important to know during a time of historic upheaval that you're not in danger of losing your home. Thankfully, the province has made it clear that being evicted is impossible in Ontario right now.
To be clear, however; all those who can afford to pay their rent should have paid their rent for April 1st. And all those who can afford to pay their rent moving forward should continue to do so.
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No one is quite sure what will happen to those who have been unable to do so. Undoubtedly, there could be long-term consequences for any tenants who have not fulfilled their rental agreement – from later eviction and lawsuits to credit score impacts and high-interest payment plans.
But, in the short-term, there is at least some relief in knowing that you cannot legally be removed from your home during this time. The Landlord and Tenant Board is currently closed and will not be considering eviction cases until it reopens – and no timeline has been given for that reopening yet.
It is also worth noting that there is only one person in the City legally allowed to evict you and that is the sheriff. If your landlord attempts to evict you during the pandemic, it's illegal. So, if they threaten to do so call the Rental Housing Enforcement Unit and get legal help. If your landlord tries to lock you out or takes any other physical steps to remove you from your house or apartment, call the police.
If you're wondering what happens in a legal eviction process in Toronto, you can read about it here.
For now, stay safe and stay home.
