SOLO Update to MPPs: Issue #7

Yesterday, SOLO sent landlord stories to MPPs to raise awareness of issues in the residential housing system in Ontario, and to advocate for change. We do this every few weeks.

Here’s What’s Happening Now

Every day, your constituents face hardship and injustices within the residential housing system in Ontario. Their stories highlight the urgent need for reform and targeted solutions to protect Ontario tenants and landlords alike.

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Mississauga Tenant Who Listened to Advice from "Tenant Advocacy” Groups Became a Professional Tenant
(MPP Deepak Anand)

Sobey Thomas renovated a basement property into a new home, and rented it out in Oct. 2019. Immediately, the tenant began to make daily complaints, abuse neighbours, and damage the property.

He began to receive 3 to 5 calls per day regarding various issues. In good faith, he invested money to fix issues she created, some maliciously, including duct cleaning, fixing the kitchen sink and faucets, replacing the (new) washing machine, and fixing electrical switches and stove elements multiple times. The upstairs neighbours moved out due to her abuse.

Later, he saw on social media that his tenant was receiving advice from “tenant advocacy” groups, including advice that if she caused damage and the LL stopped fixing things, she could claim abatement.

Finally, in Mar. 2022, Sobey issued an N5 and filed with the LTB. The tenant then threatened him with civil extortion. He was shaken, but stood his ground. The tenant moved out in May 2022, but she caused $10,000 in damages. He also discovered she had provided false documents to acquire the tenancy, yet the police said they could do nothing.

His hearing was adjourned four times, and finally held in Mar. 2025 where the adjudicator told him “don't even expect to get the order in 90 days” due to delays.

Sobey says: “I have sold in Ontario and am investing in the USA instead where laws are more fair.”

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Georgetown Tenants Stopped Paying Rent and Caused Over $26,000 in Damages When Legally Evicted
(MPP Joseph Racinsky)

In Apr. 2023, Rebecca Barretto and Jason Pierce were informed by the town that their recently purchased property was not registered as a two-unit house and were ordered to return it to a single-family unit. They served an eviction notice and, through an “urgent” hearing, received an eviction order for Nov. 30, 2023.

In Aug. 2023, the tenants stopped paying rent and began to cause extensive damage to the property, including pouring cheese into air vents, graffitiing walls, damaging the concrete foundation, and more.

The tenants moved out on Nov. 30, 2023, but with $3,600 in arrears and after causing over $26,000 in damages.

Over the past two years, Rebecca and Jason hired a paralegal, served multiple notices, attended six hearings, and finally received an order requiring the tenants to pay for the damages in Apr. 2025.

They will now need to go back to Small Claims Court to ask for garnishment of wages.

Rebecca says: “The whole process has been so painful, and has caused so much stress and financial hardship. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. What can be done to improve the LTB?”

MPP Joseph Racinsky, can you help?

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Ottawa Professional Tenants Over $35,000 in Arrears After Playing the System for 16 Months
(MPP John Fraser)

Jairo Vargas unknowingly rented his Ottawa property to “professional tenants” in Dec. 2023. They never paid rent. When he realized what was happening, he filed for an eviction in Feb. 2024. The hearing was scheduled for May 13, but was adjourned due to over-scheduling, and rescheduled to Aug. 2024, where he won his case.

Unfortunately, despite continuing to not pay rent, the tenants were granted a review, which took place in Oct. 2024. A payment plan was issued in Nov. 2024. On Dec. 27, 2024, the LTB issued another eviction. Jairo was relieved, but the tenants applied for an extension, which was granted. He has since learned there are at least four previous LTB cases against his tenants.

A new hearing was set for Mar. 2025. Finally, on Apr. 18, 2025, with over $35,000 in lost rent over 16 months, Jairo filed an eviction with the Sheriff, which he hopes will take place in May or June.

Jairo says: “Tenants are able to manipulate the system, and the LTB enables systematic abuse. Neither the LTB nor the government seems to be listening to small landlords, who are struggling both financially and mentally, while trying to cope with those who exploit the system.”

MPP John Fraser, can you help?

***

Small Ownership Landlords in Ontario (SOLO) represents over 8,500 members. Our mission is to promote the fair treatment of Ontario small-scale housing providers and tenants by advocating for policies that encourage long-term investments in affordable and healthy residential housing.

According to Statistics Canada, there are 695,000 “mom and pop” housing providers (with one investment property) who provide 30% of rental housing in Ontario.

The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) has a backlog of 53,000 cases according to the latest LTB report. 60% of LTB cases are regarding rental arrears.

We are calling for your support to streamline the process for uncontested cases of non-payment of rent. Specifically, we propose handling these cases administratively, without requiring a full hearing—similar to systems already in place in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. This would significantly reduce the backlog at the LTB, and contribute to a fairer residential housing system for tenants and landlords in Ontario.

Please contact us if you would like to continue the conversation, or sign-up for our newsletter at https://news.solo.ca.

Thanks and regards,

SOLO Team

solo@solo.ca
(647) 792-4951
www.solo.ca

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