Tenancy During COVID-19

Due to COVID-19, the Ontario government has made temporary changes to residential rental processes.

Evictions:

In response to COVID-19, no eviction orders will be enforced, however tenant are still required to pay rent. If you receive a notice to end your tenancy, you do not have to move out and will have the right to a hearing with the Landlord and Tenant Board to explain your situation (ie, COVID-19).

How the eviction process has been affected by COVID-19:

Notice: Although landlords can give eviction notices, they are encouraged to work with tenants to establish fair arrangements to keep tenants in their hoes, including deferral of rent payments or other arrangements.
Application: Landlord and Tenant board counter services are closed, but the most common types of applications can still be filed online.
Hearing: All hearings related to eviction applications are suspended.
Order: No new eviction orders will be issued until further notice.
Enforcement: Enforcement of residential eviction orders is suspended until further notice. By order of the Superior Court of Justice, enforcement of eviction orders is suspended during the suspension of regular court operation.

Rent Payments:

Under the Residential Tenancies Act, landlords cannot charge fees or penalties for late rent payments. However, keep in mind that a landlord could report overdue rent to a credit reporting agency. Tenants having trouble paying rent are encouraged to speak with their landlords about possibly differing their rent or making other payment arrangements.

Financial:

If you cannot pay rent, you may be eligible to apply for one of the following resources.

COVID-19 Emergency Assistance
Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
Canadian Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)
Student Financial Aid through the University of Guelph

Resources:

If you’re a student seeking support, please reach out to our Student Help and Advocacy Centre at shac@uoguelph.ca.
If you have questions about rental living, contact Katie McLean (University of Guelph’s coordinator of commuter experience & rental living) at kmcl@uoguelph.ca.