Province Suspends Eviction Actions Due To Covid - 19
If you cannot afford to pay rent due to the Covid - 19 pandemic emergency you do not have to worry about being evicted under a temporary new policy adopted by the Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT). The policy is enacted as part of the provincially declared State of Emergency.
But if you think you are going to get away without payment, think again you will have to pay after the Covid - 19 emergency is over.
Starting today, the ORT will not be accepting applications for eviction related to missed or late rent, or for other non-urgent claims. Previous eviction orders for non-urgent matters (i.e. – not related to health and safety concerns) will not be enforced, and previously scheduled hearings for non-urgent matters have been cancelled as of today.
“Under the circumstances, we want to ensure that tenants facing hardship as a result of COVID-19 can remain in their homes and follow all orders and recommendations from the Chief Medical Health Officer,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan said in a statement. “An essential part of flattening the curve is staying home and self-isolating. We want to provide piece of mind that those taking the necessary precautions as a result of this unprecedented situation will still have a roof over their head.”
After the Covid - 19 pandemic state of emergency is over tenants will be expected to pay their rents.
It should be noted that as late as Tuesday the Province had said they were not going to suspend evictions.
This action is being taken in recognition of the fact that our province is currently in an unprecedented state of emergency that may result in unforeseen financial hardship or health consequences for tenants.
The ORT may still hold eviction hearings but only in cases of urgency where thereis a potentia risk to health or safety resulting from violence or damage to property. Hearings may also take place for situations where a tenant has been locked out by their landlord or where a landlord has been accused of not providing essential services such as power and water, the release stated.
Despite temporarily suspending evictions for the duration of the Covid - 19 pandemic emergency the province is asking tenants and landlords to communicate with each other and attempt to with each other and work out agreements between each other during the pandemic emergency.
The measure has been enacted as the province is specifically concerned that evicted tenants will be unable to self-isolate or physically distance themselves from others, potentially increasing the risk of transmitting or contracting COVID-19.