Landlords: Be Ready for These Eviction Defences
If you are about to evict a tenant or have already started the process, it’s important to understand the defences tenants can use to fight back, so you can be prepared to win. As a landlord adding the Home Business Supplement to your Legal Plan gives you the ability to work with a lawyer on this important part of the rental process.
Speak with a Lawyer for Eviction of Tenants
The following list of eviction defences are provided to not only help you successfully navigate a current eviction, they also serve as a reminder of actions you should avoid when the landlord and tenant relationship is in a good place, to proactively prevent problems down the road.
You Inadvertently Created a New Tenancy
If a tenant stays past the end of their lease, they are considered a holdover tenant. If a landlord accepts rent payments from a holdover tenant, the tenant has the legal right to occupy the property for some period of time. The length of the new rental term is determined by provincial law and the courts and may determine when a landlord can begin the eviction process.
On the other hand, if you have a holdover tenant and you do not accept additional rent payments, the person may be considered a trespasser, allowing you to evict the person more easily and quickly.
You Violated the Terms & Conditions of the Lease (or added new ones)
While many lease terms are geared towards protecting landlords, of course, leases contain items that create responsibilities for landlords. Failure to meet your obligation under the lease could be used as an eviction defence.
For example, leases typically state that landlords are required to provide a safe environment and make repairs when notified by the tenant. If a tenant gave you proper notice regarding a needed repair, you failed to make said repair and then the tenant withheld rent (for which you’re now trying to evict them), the tenant may have a solid defence that could defeat your eviction.
Before you commence an eviction proceeding, make sure you’ve not violated any terms of the lease that could come back to bite you. Also, if you are trying to evict a tenant for violating a lease term that you added after the original lease agreement was signed and did not get the consent of the tenant, such as raising the rent or requiring them to perform certain maintenance, a court is likely to deny your eviction request.
You are Attempting a Retaliatory Eviction
If a tenant is doing something they have a right to do, such as reporting you to a regulatory agency for discrimination, and you try to evict the tenant shortly thereafter, the tenant can claim that the eviction was retaliatory in nature and therefore invalid. Are you trying to evict a tenant shortly after any of the following actions by your tenant?
- Reporting you for code violations
- Reporting you for discrimination
- Exercising their rights to sublet or have a pet on the premises in accordance with the lease
- Asserting tenants rights under local, provincial or federal law
- Paying rent into an escrow account, instead of directly to you, during an ongoing dispute
Courts will generally assume eviction was retaliatory if the landlord takes action against a tenant within a certain time period, typically 60 days to one year from the instigating action.
You Employed Improper Self-Help Eviction Tactics
Even if you have a valid reason for eviction, if you use tactics that are prohibited by law, such as changing the locks, removing a tenant’s property, turning off the heat, water or electricity or entering the premises illegally, a judge may deny your request for eviction.
When to Get Legal Help
As with any legal dispute, the sooner you speak with a lawyer, the better. An experienced lawyer can help you avoid legal pitfalls and resolve tenant issues more quickly and inexpensively than trying to fix everything on your own.
One of the best parts of having a legal plan and home business supplement from LegalShield is that for a tiny monthly fee you have the ability to call your lawyer and get unlimited advice on an unlimited number of business matters. As a LegalShield member, it’s always a good time to get legal advice. Whether you need a lawyer to help you fight an eviction defence or you just have a quick question, you’ll never get a big, unexpected legal bill at the end. Having a real estate lawyer on call is a great way to protect your valuable real estate investments.
Speak with a Lawyer to Ensure You’re Handling Eviction Legally
Ask questions and get answers from a lawyer in your province. As a landlord adding the Home Business Supplement to your Legal Plan gives you the ability to work with a lawyer on this important part of the rental process.