(Nicole Reis/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Nicole Reis

NON-URGENT EVICTIONS

Non-urgent tenancy evictions held-off as everyone urged to stay indoors.

Mar 26, 2020 | 3:14 PM

The economic impact of COVID-19 is taking a toll across the nation and many local tenants may be concerned with residential rental payments coming up — while part of the province’s workforce is in self-isolation or facing layoffs.

In a press release, the Saskatchewan Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) announced they will not be accepting applications for evictions related to missed or late rent, or for other non-urgent claims. Previous eviction orders for non-urgent matters (not related to health and safety concerns) will not be enforced, and previously scheduled hearings for non-urgent matters have been cancelled.

“An essential part of flattening the curve is staying home and self-isolating,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan said in the release. “We want to provide peace of mind that those taking the necessary precautions as a result of this unprecedented situation will still have a roof over their head.”

The ORT will only be conducting eviction hearings for urgent situations where there is a potential risk to health or safety resulting from violence or damage to property. Hearings may also take place for situations where a tenant has been locked out by their landlord or where a landlord has been accused of not providing essential services such as power and water.

Tenants who are unable to pay their rent during the state of emergency will be expected to pay their rent in full once the state of emergency ends.

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Lauri Bell, Manager of Meadow Lake Native Urban Housing Corp. (MLNUHC) said she is working on a plan for existing tenants.

“We’re in the stage of seeing what we can do for our tenants, we’re not in the business of making anyone homeless for something like this,” Bell said. “We’re looking at helping our tenants with possibly lower rents but that is dependent on the board’s decision.”

MLNUHC said their rent relief program may only apply to those affected by layoffs or loss of income. Social services tenants rent would come directly from the Ministry of Social Services and would not be included if a decision is made to reduce rent.

“It wouldn’t apply to everybody and only applies to those affected. They would need to bring in a record of employment and we would look at it case-by-case,” Bell said. “It’s not going to be a blanket where it affects every tenant of MLNUHC, it will only affect certain cases and that is also a board decision.”

Bell said the MLNUHC’s board is currently working on finalizing details and expect an updated plan by April 1.

Alana Brander, property manager with Brander Properties in Meadow Lake said tenants should expect to pay their rent as usual, though depending on the individual tenants’ situation, she will examine payments on a case by case basis. Brander Properties rents to approximately 28 tenants in the community.

The government is specifically concerned evicted tenants will be unable to self-isolate or physically distance themselves from others, potentially increasing the risk of transmitting or contracting COVID-19.

Anyone in housing need, or existing tenants who have experienced a change in circumstances should call their local housing authority for information on what options may be available. People in an emergency situation, who don’t have enough money to meet their basic needs, are encouraged to call the Provincial Client Service Centre or their local income assistance office.

ORT said landlords and tenants are encouraged to communicate with each other about their individual situations to come to mutually agreeable solutions during this challenging time.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722