Tenants Want Rent Freeze From Landlords As April 1 Looms
In about 30 minutes, Joshna Maharaj’s next three months’ income disintegrated.
Amid growing concerns over the spread of COVID-19, the 44-year-old Toronto-based chef and activist watched as her inbox flooded with cancellations from clients.
A week and a half later, a letter was slipped under her door from her landlord with general information about garbage disposal, use of shared spaces and building operation. It also included a note about rent. The property rental company said it understands there are challenges right now, but it asks tenants to ensure their rent is paid on the first of each month.
“It’s harsh, and it’s meaningless. And I was really surprised. Because that does not feel like the appropriate tone for this moment,” Maharaj told HuffPost Canada. “I wondered when I read this, why they even bothered mentioning [rent] if they weren’t actually going to offer any real understanding.”
Maharaj is curious how other residents feel about the letters — she knows she can’t be the only one who has lost income as a result of the pandemic. She knows she won’t be able to pay her upcoming rent — “Come April 1, the money is just not there” — and is hoping movements to implement a rent break are successful.
She also notes that a holistic approach is needed — if tenants can’t pay their rent, landlords will also need relief.
“Everybody needs a bit of help here right now,” she said.
WATCH: Here’s who qualifies for Canada’s COVID-19 relief benefit. Story continues below
Almost half of Canadian working renters don’t have enough savings to pay their bills for more than a month if they lose their job, according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. A recent Angus Reid poll also indicates one-third of Canadians are worried their household will miss a rent or mortgage payment.
An online petition started by Torontonian Joseph Rutherford, which calls on the federal government to cancel rent and...
