Mutual 'Nightmare' For Landlords And Tenants As Pandemic Bills Pile Up
Alma Siciliano says there will be one less property on Ontario’s rental market once the pandemic is over.
After trying to negotiate rent payments with the tenants in the basement apartment of her Courtice, Ont. home, she said she has come to accept that she won’t be getting even part of the $1,200 rent payment for April or May. Her tenants, a couple with a young baby, have indicated they may move out. One was laid off and had trouble getting the money he was owed from work, Siciliano said.
If they don’t move out, she says she is not holding her breath on their June payment.
Siciliano does not want to identify the tenants for fear of creating more tension in their relationship, but HuffPost Canada has verified her story using text message transcripts.
WATCH: Ontario Premier Doug Ford tells tenants to put food above rent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Story continues below.
Siciliano said she wants to be sympathetic, and knows that April was a tough month when many people got laid off or lost their income. She is also struggling to pay her mortgage and other bills. Her husband was laid off last year and is now retired, and they have gone into their line of credit to make ends meet.
“I will sell my home before I rent to anybody again, once this is over,” Siciliano told HuffPost. “It’s a nightmare.”
Siciliano, who works in security services at a hospital, has filed an N4 eviction notice, used to terminate a tenancy agreement when a tenant has not paid rent, and an N12 notice, for when a landlord, family member or purchaser needs the rental unit for personal use. Her daughter had planned to move into the basement unit in May. The N12 requires her to pay a full month’s rent to the tenants. She’s also now paying to get legal advice about the situation.
“I just don’t understand why the government is telling people, ‘You gotta keep a roof over your tenants’ heads’ but not helping,” Siciliano said.
