In a recent interview, attorney Michael Thiele, spoke with CityNews Ottawa to offer insights into why many Ontario landlords are choosing to file eviction applications against their tenants. Thiele, a senior partner with Ottawa-based law firm Quinn Thiele Michael Grodzki LLP, discusses how the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is failing to take action on eviction filing proceedings, negatively impacting landlords across the province.
Throughout the interview, Thiele discusses the LTB backlog and how it has caused significant financial loss for landlords. He also talks about how eviction applications that were once resolved within two weeks prior to the pandemic may now take up to a year to process. This delay has allowed tenants to live rent-free for extended periods, with some waiting more than eight months for a hearing date. “It’s an interesting scenario in rental housing that the rental laws effectively create an inflation protected living arrangement at the expense of the landlord for the tenants,” says Thiele.
Thiele explains that for landlords who are struggling to make ends meet, this delay in justice only adds to their financial burden.
Eviction Applications Rising: Attorney Michael Thiele in a Chat with CityNews Ottawa and The Globe and Mail about the Sudden Spike
As the demand for housing in Ontario continues to outpace supply, rent prices have skyrocketed, leading landlords to seek ways to maximize their profits. According to Thiele, many landlords are filing eviction applications to regain control of their properties.
In his conversation with The Globe and Mail, Attorney Michael Thiele shared his own personal frustrations with the LTB backlog and addressed the issue of landlords being accused of misusing N12 forms. These forms are known as own-use evictions and can help landlords regain control over their property for themselves or an immediate family member to reside in. Although some tenants believe that landlords are exploiting this form to turn over units, Thiele insists that these applications are entirely legal. Thiele is concerned that allegations of fraudulent evictions could lead to significant penalties for landlords. However, he has yet to come across a case where the misuse of an N12 form has occurred.
According to Attorney Michael Thiele, landlords who choose to file N13 forms for demolition, renovation, or conversion of a unit are often criticized for wanting to see a return on their investment. While this process may result in the eviction of a tenant after the work is complete, it also provides a financial incentive to tenants in exchange for vacating the property, a practice commonly referred to as “cash for keys.”
For further legal commentary on eviction applications in Ontario or to book a legal consult, contact Michael Thiele and the team of lawyers at Quinn Thiele Michael Grodzki LLP, a leading law firm in Ottawa.
Attorney Michael Thiele has practiced Residential Landlord and Tenant Law for over two decades. On top of his law partnership, he spends his time teaching prospective paralegals at Algonquin College, passing on his experience and expertise to the next generation of legal professionals.