Landlord Nicholas Sikatori is urging policymakers to address the deficiencies in Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) after experiencing a significant financial loss of over $8,000 due to what he describes as a “professional tenant” taking advantage of the system.
Sikatori advocates for the expedited eviction of tenants in cases of clear non-payment, stressing the detrimental impact of prolonged eviction processes on both landlords and tenants. He emphasizes the need for a straightforward solution: “No rent, no stay,” to prevent landlords from leaving units vacant due to the risks associated with renting to problematic tenants.
His frustration stemmed from a six-month struggle to evict a tenant who ceased rent payments after the second month, intentionally prolonging the legal eviction proceedings and demanding a substantial sum to vacate the premises. The tenant, supported by a monthly stipend from the Ontario Works program, initially paid the first and last month’s rent plus September but failed to meet subsequent rental obligations.
Despite filing an L1 eviction notice with the LTB, the process dragged on as the tenant obtained stay orders, leading to prolonged delays exacerbated by missed online hearings. Sikatori uncovered the tenant’s history of similar tactics with previous landlords, ultimately resorting to threats of publicizing eviction notices on Openroom, a platform used by landlords to screen potential tenants, to prompt the tenant’s departure.
Sikatori’s ordeal exemplifies the systemic issues highlighted in a scathing 2023 Ombudsman’s report and a Tribunals Ontario report revealing a backlog of 53,000 unresolved LTB cases. While landlords like Sikatori lament the inefficiencies of the LTB, tenants’ advocates, such as Claire Whittnebel from ACORN, emphasize the need for reforms to prioritize tenants’ rights within the system.
Notably, the Ontario Progressive Conservatives have allocated additional resources to enhance LTB operations, while the Ontario Liberals and NDP propose distinct measures to revamp the board, including phased rent control, increased adjudicators, and support for vulnerable renters facing eviction.
The ongoing debate underscores the pressing need for comprehensive reforms to address the shortcomings of the LTB and ensure a fair and efficient resolution of landlord-tenant disputes in Ontario.