Landlords are not always the bad guy

Many small landlords assumed renting a part of your home or a property intended to finance retirement is a way to balance your budget and do the world a good turn by increasing affordable rental stock. Except that if circumstances change — for example, your tenant moves in several permanent guests, acquires pets, becomes a drug den — the tenant can only be evicted by the sheriff acting on housing tribunal orders, a legal process that costs time and money (lawyers are often required, whereas tenants may access legal aid).

Because the primary purpose of the tribunal is to prevent homelessness, the less likely it is that the tribunal will order an eviction. It is little wonder landlords bend laws that are stacked against them. Fay Martin, Minden, Ont.