Tenants Evicted to Make Room Higher Paying Renters

Some landlords in Saskatchewan are being accused of kicking out existing tenants in order to make room for residents that are willing to pay higher rent. TheCBC has reported that applications to evict have increase over the past few years. The rental market in the province has become more competitive for tenants. Landlords that used to have to take whoever applied in order to fill vacancies now have the ability to be more selective in whom they choose to rent to. The Office of Residential Tenancies hears applications to evict tenants. Terrance Chinn is the director of the agency and has told CBC that he has had reports of Landlords evicting residents just so that they could raise the rent for the next tenant.

This accusation has raised a debate amongst property owners, renters and the families of students seeking accommodation while attending school. Landlords claim that they evict because they are tired of late rent payments and people that recklessly cause damage. Some of the opinions expressed by readers of the story describe how Chinn’s office appears to order more often in favor of the tenant and that the challenges landlords face go overlooked. Families and tenants suggest that as costs for housing, food & tuition rise, benefits and wages stay the same or drop. Some tenants are calling for rent controls in order to solve the problem of rapidly rising rent increases.

Still, each eviction application should be looked at individually and housing offices should resist the temptation assume greed on the part of landlords. If a tenant is being evicted for reasons of damage, disruption or rent payment issues, it is understandable that the owner may try to recover losses and expenses by increasing future rent rates. Tenants should certainly be given an opportunity to respond to allegations put forth by landlords. Most owners look for responsible tenants and many are willing to accept a more modest rent in return for a long term resident that is respectful to the property.