A desperate Toronto landlord is taking a new approach to problem tenants – putting pen to paper to write a desperate note, pleading for them to pay the rent they owed. The note, which was shared with a local news outlet, read: “You are $9,000 behind in rent now. The landlord is on the verge of bankruptcy. Please do the right thing by paying your rent or moving out.”
As the letter explains, the landlord depended on the rent to pay the mortgage, taxes, and maintenance costs associated with the property. Without it, they faced financial ruin. The note ends with a final plea: “I’m not an evil landlord. I’m just trying to make my ends meet. Let’s work together to find a solution.”
Eviction delays
Unfortunately stories like this are becoming more and more common as backlogs at the Landlord and Tenant Board of Ontario (LTB) leave landlords in limbo, waiting for up to a year for evictions to be heard and processed.
Last year, the government allocated almost $6 million to help ease delays at the LTB, but the tribunal is still struggling to clear its caseload with 32,800 active cases open and ongoing as 2022 drew to a close.
More than just a nuisance, these delays are leaving landlords vulnerable to ‘professional tenants’ – unscrupulous renters who know the system is clogged and intentionally skip rent knowing they’ll be long gone before there’s any official action taken.
Where does this leave GTA landlords?
It’s not clear whether the anonymous landlord took any formal steps before writing directly to his tenant, but landlords in a similar situation should always explore official avenues first. The LTB may be slow, but it’s the only option for a legal eviction so the sooner you file your application, the better.
Getting your Notice to End a Tenancy in motion also creates a paper trail that will protect you later if disputes arise. Many landlords delay in the hope that their tenant will eventually do the right thing but that’s a mistake. File at the first sign of trouble. You can always rescind your application if the situation improves.
Hiring a property manager can help
If you’re having difficulties with a tenant, you don’t have to go it alone. Enlisting the services of a reputable property manager takes the burden off beleaguered landlords. No wading through documentation, compiling applications, or stressing over whether you’ve filled out the right forms and ticked the right boxes – simply leave it all to the professionals.
At Highgate Property Management, we take a proactive approach to rent collection – moving swiftly the minute a payment is missed. If your tenant has gone silent and can’t be reached by calls, emails, texts or other messages, we will file an eviction notice with the LTB on your behalf. We even cover the cost of filing and all other associated costs as part of our tenant management services.
You’ll be represented by our team of highly-experienced professionals at every stage of the process, from the initial filing to any appeals if necessary. Highgate has been helping Toronto property owners resolve tenant disputes for over three decades, and that experience has given us a unique insight into the GTA rental market, landlord legislation, and LTB operations. Get in touch today to see how our team can help you make the most of your investment and enjoy it stress-free.
