Landlord group says Bill 60 is needed to bring back balance to Ontario’s rental system

A housing bill that passed at Queen's Park last week is raising concerns it could make it easier for landlords to evict tenants.

A housing bill that passed at Queen’s Park last Monday has left some concerned that it could make it easier for landlords to evict tenants.

But some groups, especially those representing smaller landlords, say changes are needed to bring balance back to the rental system.

While most tenants pay their rent on time and work with landlords if problems arise, the group says there are “professional tenants” who refuse to pay rent, create delays at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) or demand “cash payments” to move out.

There were protests inside Queen’s Park when the bill was passed over concerns that landlords would be given new powers to evict tenants. Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack said it’s about fairness for all involved.

“We are creating balance in the landlord and tenant system,” said Flack.

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Priscilla Addo owns a house in Whitby, Ont., but had to move out following a family separation. Addo said she is currently renting and wants to move back into her home.

“I’ve been trying to get them out (the tenants),” she told CTV News. “I’ve been trying to move back for a while now.”

Addo told CTV News she is a single mother with two children and claims the tenants are often late with rent and have delayed her case before the LTB for almost two years with various issues.

“I should have the right to move back home, and the Landlord and Tenant Board should not have control over something that I worked so hard to purchase to have for my family,” said Addo.

Sylvia Vago owns a condominium in Toronto and her parents are retired and were planning to move into it, but she said the current tenant refuses to move out.

“She gets to stay, and I have no rights to my property,” said Vago.

Vago said her case has been dragging on before the LTB for almost a year and a half. Vago told CTV News the tenant said they would only move out if they were given what is known as “cash for keys,” a payment of $25,000.

“$25,000 is not an amount that is reasonable at all,” Vago said. “I worked really hard to purchase this property and it’s my property and I cannot have access to it.”

An advocacy group for small landlords, Small Ownership Landlords of Ontario (SOLO), said it represents 8,500 small landlords in the province and that many are “mom and pop” type landlords that only have a single unit.

Mary Kosta-Cadas, who is with SOLO, said Bill 60 will help reduce waiting times and get cases heard faster before the LTB.

“I think Bill 60 is a small step in leveling the playing field,” said Kosta-Cadas. “Right now, for me to ask someone to leave because they are not paying their rent, it will take 10 months to get them out, and that’s under the new rules. Before it would have taken two years.”

Small landlords said if they need to get their property back to move in themselves or for another family member, it should happen in a reasonable amount of time without the threat of cash for keys.

“If I had the opportunity to do this again, I would never do it again,” said Vago. “I would never rent my property because we have no rights to access it.”

“I feel it’s not fair to me and my children,” said Addo. “Do we have to become homeless? Do we have to move into a shelter, because I’m getting evicted now.”

Despite what some landlords are saying, tenant groups still have concerns about Bill 60 and worry it could hand more power to property management companies and make it easier for them to evict tenants so they can charge higher rent.