Ontario puts temporary halt to residential evictions during current stay-at-home order
Published January 14, 2021 at 5:36 pm
The Ontario government has put a temporary halt to residential evictions during the current pandemic state of emergency.
This move is expected to ensure people are not forced to leave their homes while the current stay-at-home order is in place.
“By temporarily pausing residential evictions, we are ensuring that all Ontarians are able to stay home, stay safe, and save lives,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Our government will ensure that residential evictions continue to be paused for the remainder of the state of emergency, as long as it lasts.”
This is the second time in less than a year that the province has paused residential evictions. This emergency order will also protect homeowners who are facing evictions due to court orders for possession of their properties.
Even though the pause is in place, Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board will continue to hear eviction applications and issue orders, but the enforcement of eviction orders will be postponed for the duration of the emergency order, except in urgent situations – such as for illegal activity. This includes orders issued, but not carried out, before the emergency order came into effect.
Tenant who have been locked out, or are being threatened to be locked out, can contact Ontario’s Rental Housing Enforcement Unit for help.
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