Evicting a Tenant in Ontario with No Rental Agreement: A Guide for Landlords
As a landlord in Ontario, dealing with difficult tenants can be a challenge. This is especially true when there is no rental agreement in place. Without a signed agreement, you may feel helpless and unsure of how to go about evicting your tenant.
Fortunately, there are still legal options available to you as a landlord, even without a rental agreement. In this article, we’ll explore the steps you can take to legally evict a tenant in Ontario who is not paying rent or causing problems, despite the lack of a rental agreement.
Step 1: Give Notice to the Tenant
Before you can file an eviction notice with the Landlord and Tenant Board, you must first give your tenant written notice that you want them to vacate the property. You can do this by filling out a Notice to End Tenancy form, which outlines the reason for the eviction and the date by which the tenant must vacate the property.
If the tenant is not paying rent, you can serve them with a Notice to End Tenancy for Non-Payment of Rent. This form gives the tenant 14 days to pay the outstanding rent before they are required to vacate the property.
If the tenant is causing problems, such as damaging the property, disturbing other tenants, or engaging in illegal activities, you can serve them with a Notice to End Tenancy for Cause. This form gives the tenant 7 days to vacate the property.
Step 2: File an Application with the Landlord and Tenant Board
If the tenant fails to vacate the property after receiving written notice, you can file an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board to get a hearing date. You will need to provide the Board with a copy of the Notice to End Tenancy and any other supporting documentation.
At the hearing, you will have the opportunity to present your case to the Board. The tenant will also have the opportunity to present their case. The Board will then make a decision on whether the eviction is justified and, if so, set a date by which the tenant must vacate the property.
Step 3: Enforce the Eviction Order
If the tenant still refuses to vacate the property after the eviction order has been issued, you can take legal action to enforce the order. This may include hiring a bailiff to physically remove the tenant from the property.
It’s important to note that there are strict rules that must be followed when evicting a tenant, even without a rental agreement. As a landlord, it’s crucial that you follow the proper legal procedures to avoid facing legal consequences.
Conclusion
Evicting a tenant in Ontario without a rental agreement can be a challenging and stressful process. However, by following the proper legal procedures and seeking the advice of a qualified legal professional, you can protect your rights as a landlord and successfully remove a problem tenant from your property.