Landlord's Self-Help Centre
15th Floor - 55 University Avenue M5J 2H7 Toronto, ON, Canada

A few landlords from Sudbury share their experiences with tenants during the pandemic that will resonate with many small landlords ... https://www.cbc.ca//landlords-eviction-delays-landlord-ten

Province releases Guide to Ontario Standard Lease in multiple languages https://www.ontario.ca/page/guide-ontarios-standard-lease

The Landlord and Tenant announced it is moving to a digital first hearing strategy. For individuals that do not have a telephone, computer or internet, the LTB will also make remote access terminals available to ensure public access is available https://toronto.citynews.ca//plans-to-keep-landlord-and-t/

Do you live in the City of Toronto? Are you interested in creating a new housing unit? Have you considered a Garden Suite? The City of Toronto is exploring Garden Suites as a housing option, you can learn more here https://www.toronto.ca//planning-studies-in/garden-suites/ Share your input through an online survey https://s.cotsurvey.chkmkt.com/

Toronto Police Service’s Financial Crimes Unit has made two arrests in a tenant scam investigation. The TPS media release asks anyone with information on this couple to contact police at 416-808-7300 http://torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/49364

We hope more small landlords will share their horror stories with the media ... and their MPP https://torontosun.com//levy-non-paying-tenant-tells-landl

Here's an idea we could use in Ontario! https://www.thestar.com//california-proposal-would-extend-

Not the news landlords want to hear ... according to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the government has issued an emergency order to temporarily pause the enforcement of residential evictions, with limited exceptions. During this time, the Landlord and Tenant Board will continue to hear eviction applications and issue orders, but the enforcement of eviction orders will be postponed for the duration of the emergency order, except in urgent situations such as for illegal drug activity. This includes orders issued, but not carried out, before the emergency order came into effect. Link to release https://news.ontario.ca//ontario-temporarily-pauses-reside

It’s not all about tenants small landlords who rent to generate an income to pay mortgages and put food on the table are struggling during this pandemic when the rent they count on isn’t paid. These are just 2 stories of thousands, https://www.thestar.com//when-renting-out-your-place-goes-

Eviction moratoriums = bad public policy https://ottawacitizen.com//dickie-why-eviction-moratoriums

Toronto City Council has approved moving forward on the development of Vacant Home Tax policy targeted for implementation in 2022. LSHC will participate in the process and lobby for principle residences which contain a rental unit to be excluded from the tax. There are many small landlords who have rented in the past and given up due to current provincial policies and bitter experiences with tenants and/or the LTB. https://www.blogto.com//city-toronto-votes-implement-vaca/

The NDP Housing Critic, Suze Morrison, has a motion before the Legislature seeking to restore the eviction moratorium. MPPs will vote on that motion December 9, 2020. Small landlords - let their MPP know how another eviction moratorium would impact you. Don’t know who your MPP is? Find your Member of Provincial Parliament here, https://voterinformationservice.elections.on.ca//e/search, just enter your postal code.

Tenant advocates calling on the Landlord and Tenant Board to address the widespread trend of low-income and marginalized tenants being denied access-to-justice since the COVID-19 pandemic forced hearings to operate remotely. It causes delay and uncertainty for the landlords as well. So I think that there's a mutual interest that this be be done properly ... says Caryma Sa’d. https://www.lawtimesnews.com//legal-clinics-across/335412

What should a landlord do with tenant belongings that are left behind when: 1. Tenant vacates on notice 2. Tenant is evicted by the sheriff 3. Tenant abandons the rental unit 4. Tenant dies... Check out our new learning modules for information on how to navigate each scenario https://landlordselfhelp.com/landlord-learning-modules/ See more

LSHC's 2020 AGM and Landlord Learning Forum was a success! Our thanks to Jane L. Ferguson and Guzina Law for their Bill 184 presentations and to Minister Steve Clark for his address. If you'd like to take another look, or missed the meeting, we've posted the videos in the Members' Area of the website at https://landlordselfhelp.com/2020-agm-and-learning-forum-f/

LSHC's 2020 AGM and Landlord Learning Forum was a success! Our thanks to Jane L. Ferguson and Guzina Law for their Bill 184 presentations and to Minister Steve Clark for his address. If you'd like to take another look, or missed the meeting, we've posted the videos in the Members' Area of the website at https://landlordselfhelp.com/2020-agm-and-learning-forum-f/

It's Fire Prevention Week! Landlords, please take a look at our Fire Safety video to learn and review safety requirements for rental units, https://landlordselfhelp.com/landlord-learning-tips/

LSHC's September 2020 Newsletter is now available at https://landlordselfhelp.com/the-quarterly-news/

It's Fire Prevention Week! Landlords, please take a look at our Fire Safety video to learn and review safety requirements for rental units, https://landlordselfhelp.com/landlord-learning-tips/

Yesterday the Province introduced Bill 204 to freeze rent increases for most in 2021 https://www.thestar.com//ford-government-introduces-rent-f

Do you have a rented a coach house? If so, you'll want to read this story ... https://www.cbc.ca//toronto-coach-houses-illegal-city-rule

Finally, the media is recognizing the challenges small landlords have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, https://torontosun.com//4b278a97-31a9-4d45-b63c-88256801f/

Minister Steve Clark says there is no guideline for 2021 rent increases being announced and legislation coming this fall could freeze rents for "vast majority of families"! Not sure how legislation freezing rents can be balanced but we look forward to providing input. https://www.cbc.ca//canada//ontario-rent-control-1.5704411

Making your best effort to achieve a settlement or agreement with your tenant are key - https://www.theglobeandmail.com//article-we-must-act-now/

LSHC has been informed by several clients that hearings are being scheduled for applications based on nonpayment of rent seeking termination orders. While another reported that an order was recently issued for their L4 application filed back in May. These are all indicators that the LTB is beginning to work through the backlog of applications. Earlier this week a Toronto protest against evictions targeted sheriff's officers by blocking the exit to the parking garage - https://www.thestar.com//protesters-attempt-to-block-sheri

Small landlords are desperate for the LTB to get back on track with hearings. We've had reports from our small landlord community that hearings are now being scheduled for applications which seek termination based on non-payment of rent - https://www.cbc.ca//landlord-says-halting-tenant-board-hea

Making your best effort to achieve a settlement or agreement with your tenant are key - https://www.theglobeandmail.com//article-we-must-act-now/

If your rental property is located within the City of Toronto and includes common areas such as laundry room, storage, etc., the City of Toronto passed By-Law 664-2020 which requires owners to adopt a policy to ensure that persons permitted entry to any enclosed common area within their apartment building or condominium building are wearing a mask or face covering, in a manner which covers their mouth, nose and chin, https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/bylaws/2020/law0664.pdf. You will also find downloadable signage at https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/bylaws/2020/law0664.pdf

Bill 184 passed Third Reading yesterday and received Royal Assent. You can learn about the forthcoming changes to the RTA by reading highlights and following the link to our submission on the Bill https://landlordselfhelp.com//bill-184-protecting-tenants/

Do small landlords have a policy for wearing masks or face coverings for indoor common areas such as laundry facilities? https://www.cp24.com//tory-calls-for-mandatory-masks-in-to

There is a lot of opposition to Bill 184 which continues to be debated at Third Reading https://www.thestar.com//new-rent-repayment-rules-could-le

Here's some interesting news - The order of Chief Justice Morawetz, which suspended the execution of all writs of possession to evict residents from their homes during the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on March 19, 2020, was amended on July 6, 2020. The order now provides that the suspension applies until the end of the calendar month in which the state of emergency is terminated - https://www.ontariocourts.ca//chief-justice-court-order-s/