Windsor landlord says tenants who haven’t paid 16 months of rent have now paused eviction order

After more than 16 months of his tenants not paying rent, Michael Portman was hopeful that the eviction process was finally coming to an end. The provincial board had ruled in his favor and served the tenants an eviction notice. However, just days before they were set to leave, the tenants successfully filed for a stay of the eviction, putting the case on hold temporarily.

Portman, a landlord in Windsor, Ont., had been dealing with non-paying tenants for over a year. The lack of rent payments had left him on the hook for more than $28,000, plus legal fees. Despite the ruling in his favor by the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), the tenants were able to delay the eviction process by filing for a stay.

A stay is typically granted when a person claims they were not properly notified of a hearing or if there was an error in the law that led to the eviction decision. Portman, frustrated with the system and lack of support for small landlords, expressed his disbelief at the turn of events.

While he understands the importance of a fair process, Portman feels that the lack of accountability and timeliness in the system has allowed his situation to drag on unnecessarily. He had hoped to resolve the issue quickly, but now anticipates that the case may stretch into the next year.

Despite the challenges he faces, Portman is determined to see the eviction through and sell the property once the tenants are removed. He expressed his disappointment in the system, feeling that it has failed to protect landlords like himself.

In response to concerns about delays in the LTB, Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie acknowledged that there is still work to be done to improve the timeliness of the board. The provincial government has made investments in the LTB, including hiring more staff to handle the caseload.

While improvements have been made in reducing application processing timelines, some, like Lilian Bahgat, a supervising lawyer at the University of Windsor’s Community Legal Aid, feel that more collaboration with community agencies is needed to support those who are struggling with housing issues.

Despite the challenges he faces, Portman remains hopeful that the eviction process will be resolved soon. He is eager to move on from this ordeal and start fresh in a new location where he can put this experience behind him. The wait for a review hearing continues, but Portman is determined to see it through to the end.