February 13th, 2013
We want to offer congratulations to the Ontario Landlords Association and their landlord forum for reaching 75,000 posts in February 2013.
Small landlords in British Columbia have challenges. And our challenges are growing each year. You only need to read about the recent Human Rights Commission ruling saying a landlord must pay their tenant $15,000 over a ramp!
Things also haven’t been easy in Alberta recently.
If we think landlords have it bad in British Columbia and Alberta, (and we do) have to take a look at the Ontario Landlords Association website. Now that is a tough system to be in as small landlord.
Here is a brief overview of some the Ontario rules:
1. No damage deposits
That’s right. No legal deposits are allowed. If the tenants leave garbage or damages behind you have to chase them, find them, and sue them. Good luck with that!
2. No pet deposits
Tenants have pets? Of course pets can cause some damages. Except in Ontario you can’t collect a cent as a pet deposit.
3. No pet clauses are illegal
Tenants says they don’t have pets. Then, after moving in they brings lots of dogs and cats. In Ontario there’s nothing you can do about it.
4. All tenants get free government paid for legal representation (even if they are rich)
Facing your tenant at the Landlord and Tenant Board? Tenants get free government paid for lawyers with no income checks.
5. Tenants can file claims (true or not) against landlords for free
Is your tenant angry at you? Or wants an excuse not to pay rent? They can file against you at the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board free of charge. And if they lose there are no consequences.
These points are only the start of the problems Ontario Landlords face.
We are happy our sister site is helping landlords in Ontario after years of landlord there being voiceless.
They even are approved by the Ontario government!
“The Ministry greatly values the role the Ontario Landlords Association and its members play in providing quality, affordable rental housing in Ontario and recognizes the OLA provides an important voice for small private residential landlords.”
Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
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