How is it possible that I own a townhouse in Barhaven and I have been homeless since September 3rd, 2020?
Living out of a suitcase relying on the kindness of friends and family. I contacted the Landlord Tenant Board in May 2020 to ask if it was possible to end a tenancy during COVID. I was assured it was and I followed all the rules.
I was going through a divorce and the marital home had to be sold. The closing date was September 3rd, 2020. I informed my tenants and paid them one month rent. My tenants refused to move out and stopped paying rent.
Served tenant N12 June 15, 2020
Filed L12 July 5, 2020
Requested urgent hearing August 5, 2020
Filed N4 Oct 2020
I paid to put my belongings in storage, but I still had to pay my mortgage, insurance and property taxes. Without a home, my two cats had to be surrendered to an animal shelter. I waited 8 months for a hearing that was finally scheduled for March 15,2020. My tenants requested French language three days before the scheduled hearing and it was cancelled. A new hearing was rescheduled for April 15,2021
I hired a lawyer ( David Lyman) as I realized my tenants knew how to work the system, while I was following the proper protocol.
It was established at the hearing that the N12 was served properly. I presented an affidavit stating I was moving into the unit. The tenant freely admitted he had not paid rent since June.
The adjudicator said another hearing would have to be scheduled because the tenant insisted he had evidence that he had to present even though he had an hour to present. He had sent the evidence in a file that no one was able to open. It should not have been allowed at the hearing according to the LTBO rules.
At the end of the meeting, the adjudicator assured me and my lawyer that she would look at her calendar and schedule a hearing as soon as possible. It has been 6 weeks and another hearing has not been scheduled.
I’m angry and frustrated, this is affecting my mental and physical health. Never feeling comfortable, no end in sight! The helplessness of knowing a government body has no accountability. I couldn’t rent a room or an apartment because I had no idea how long I would need it. I will have to pay for two moves instead of one. The fact that my tax dollars support all of this and the tenant has more rights than I do is frustrating to say the least.
The fact that three MPs have been made aware of this and say they cannot help me and that is the way it is. I have written the ombudsman and they are collecting data to make future changes. While I am homeless I am paying for a family I do not know to shelter in my house while I am homeless!
Can you explain to me why my tenant has more rights than I do?
Why is the province of Ontario paying this man ODSP that includes a housing allowance and he is not paying his rent?
Can you please help me?
I respectfully await an answer.
Thank you,
F.R.
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