Ontario MPP Joyce Savoline, who last month attempted to push forward a measure to allow landlords there to collect damage deposits from tenants, is criticizing Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Bartolucci for being “out of touch” with landlords and tenants
During a Question Period March 8, Mrs. Savoline asked Minister Bartolucci why the McGuinty Liberals have done nothing to modernize the rent dispute process in Ontario. Savoline says the Minister refused to answer the question.
“It typically takes 90 days for a dispute to be resolved, costing landlords about $5,200,” says Savoline. “This puts a tremendous strain on the rental housing sector and there is a great risk that they will get out of the industry all together, creating uncertainty for 1.3 million rental households.”
The Minister claims that the McGuinty Liberals have “struck the balance that is good for landlords and good for tenants.” A recent study released by the Federation of Rental Housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) shows otherwise. According to the report, the majority of tenants, 69 per cent, are in favour of making it easier to evict tenants who are not paying their rent, and 86 per cent of tenants favour a quicker eviction process for tenants causing damage.
“Where else would you find that goods and services are provided without payment, other than with landlords, who must allow tenants who don’t pay rent to stay,” says Savoline. “My concern is for small landlords who must find ways of making up lost costs from rent charged to all tenants, even those who do pay their rent. The current system is flawed and the Minister needs to start listening to what tenants and landlords are saying rather than avoid answering my questions in the Legislature.”
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