Here’s what you need to know about renting in Hamilton during COVID-19
Published March 31, 2020 at 8:38 pm
People in Hamilton will not be evicted from their homes while the country grapples with the coronavirus pandemic.
People in Hamilton will not be evicted from their homes while the country grapples with the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s the beginning of a new month and rents are due, but given the state of the world, many people are going to be struggling to meet that obligation.
In Hamilton, more than 60,000 households are renting.
As restrictions due to COVID-19 deepen and people are urged to stay home — and it looks like we’ll be in this position for weeks to come — many families will be forced to choose between keeping a roof over their head or putting food on the table.
Videos
For people who fear this is a choice they will face in the coming days, the City of Hamilton wants tenants to know that they will not be evicted during these uncertain times.
The city’s website offers some valuable information for tenants and landlords alike who are struggling to make sense of their rights at this time.
As it stands, the Province has suspended all eviction enforcements until further notice.
Even if you are issued an N4 eviction notice for not paying rent, you cannot be evicted right now.
“The Ontario government has suspended all new evictions during the COVID-19 crisis, unless due to illegal activity or safety concerns,” the city says on their website.
“The [evictions] suspension is in effect until normal court operations resume,” said James O’Brien, Hamilton’s Senior Project Manager Housing & Homelessness, Housing Services Division.
So while N4s can still be issued, O’Brien says it’s unclear when and how they will be enforced when the threat of COVID-19 has passed.
“We don’t know what the provincial direction will be,” he said.
They also urge tenants and landlords to communicate to come up with possible payment plans or make alternate arrangements.
“If an individual is unable to pay part of their rent, they can talk to their landlord about establishing a formal agreement to do so when their income situation changes,” O’Brien said.
The city also offers a reminder that rent strikes are illegal.
“We ask everyone to work together during this time of crisis,” they urge on their website.
The city also provides a list of resources specifically related to COVID-19 that may provide supports to both landlords and tenants, as well as already established organizations that provide guidance and social support within Hamilton.
To learn more about your rights as a tenant or landlord in Hamilton, visit the city’s website.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story erroneously referred to N4 notices as E4. We apologize for the confusion.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising