Get Landlord agreement forms here
Real estate investing expands much further than just condos. Ontario investors often expand their portfolio by investing in single-family homes. Why? Because these investments are often considered less-risky, they can charge more for rent, and they appreciate in value much faster than other types of properties. This means that when it comes time to sell their single-family home, they'll be very pleased with their return on investment (ROI).However, things can get a little tricky when the home is a tenanted property. This begs the question: what rights do tenants have when the house is being sold?
To answer in short, yes it is acceptable and possible to sell a tenanted property in Ontario, but like most things, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about doing so. A landlord does, at any point, have the right to put their rental property up for sale, but the landlord must do one of the following:
Ultimately, maintaining a good relationship with the tenants is one of the best things a landlord can do. It can definitely be awkward between tenants and the property owner when it comes to selling the property, but having a good or bad relationship can be what makes or breaks the process. By maintaining a good relationship, keeping the tenants up to date with what's going on with the sale, being honest with them, and even helping them find another rental property can really make all the difference in the world.
Just as a landlord has their own rights, so do tenants. While the landlord may be able to sell their rental property, it must be in good faith and done according to the rules laid out by the Landlord and Tenant Board.
The tenant's rights include:
This is a term used for landlords who give a tenant an N12 Form but who don't actually end up using the rental home like the form states.
Unfortunately, not every landlord follows the rules and in some cases, tenants are left having to scramble for answers. In the case of a bad-faith eviction, tenants should turn to the Landlord and Tenant Board and submit a T5 form and describe their situation. The Board will ask the tenant why they believe the landlord is acting out of bad faith in which the tenant can respond with evidence supporting the fact that the landlord's family member did not move in or has no intention of moving in, or that the landlord is not using the property themselves. If the landlords also evicts them just to put up another "for rent" ad with an increased rental price, tenants can sue as they were wrongfully evicted. The eviction or act of sending any notice must have a good reason and be backed by evidence on the landlord's part.
This is why it's always important for both tenants and landlords to always document any conversations between them and keep any receipts or proof of rent payments in case legal action needs to be taken. If a landlord is found guilty, they can be fined up to $25,000 and may also be ordered to pay the following:
Other than if landlords have a legal reason to terminate a lease agreement early, no, a tenant cannot be evicted in the middle of their fixed-term lease. If the landlord is selling the home, they must wait until the lease is over to close on the sale. The tenant can be negotiated with if the landlord would like a sooner closing date.
Once the lease is up, a tenant can be evicted, but they must be provided with 60 days' notice as mentioned above.
It can be tough to sell a tenanted property, especially if tenants aren't cooperative or keep the home as clean as the landlord would like. That's why, when a landlord is selling the home they've been renting for investment purposes, they should consider the following the maximize their ROI:
*Side note: A landlord cannot proceed with upgrades or renovations without sending at least 60 days' notice to the tenant. Depending on what is being done to the property, a tenant cannot be evicted for minor repairs like the dishwasher needing to be fixed or replaced. They can only be evicted for renovations that would actually require someone to move out. The landlord may have to provide them with one to two month's compensation and help them temporarily relocate.
If a tenanted property is purchased, there are a few things that can happen depending on the situation.
If the purchasers are purchasing the home as a place to live themselves, they will still have to wait until the lease is up and the tenants have moved out before they can move in.
If the purchasers want to continue to rent to the tenant (or a new one if the current tenant is leaving), the agreement should be included in the purchase and sale agreement so the lease terms, form of payment etc., can be transferred to the new landlords. If the tenant is in the middle of a lease agreement, it will continue over until the lease is up and they are not legally required to sign a new one until then. The new landlords cannot increase the rent unless 12 months have passed since the last rent increase, and they must adhere to the rent increase guidelines.
If the tenant is currently renting month-to-month and the house has been sold, the purchaser can get the current owner/landlord to file a 60-day notice on their behalf if they can provide proof that they or a family member wants to move in.
There comes a time when a landlord wants to sell the property they have been renting in order to maximize their investment property, or just retire from being a landlord. Can it be a bit awkward when a landlord sells? Yes, but as mentioned above, being honest with tenants and maintaining a good relationship with them can make a huge difference. Even if a lease isn't up yet, a landlord has the right to sell their property whenever they want, but they must follow the proper protocol so they don't get in trouble (otherwise, the fines can be pretty hefty!).
If a landlord is selling, they must provide the tenant with the proper form, which they can print out from the Board, outlining the reason they would like the tenant to leave the property. This can be because they want to now use the home for themselves, or a family member wants to move in and they must let the tenant know 60 days from the first month that their tenancy will be ending, or providing a 30-day window to move out after the sale has closed (if the new purchaser is not looking to become the new landlord). If the landlord sells to a purchaser who does still want to use the property as a real estate investment, they will need to make sure the lease agreement and other important information are in the sale and purchase agreement.
Navigating through the waters of real estate investing can be tough, but it doesn't have to be if both the landlord and the tenant become familiar with the rules laid out by the Board.
For Real Estate News and Market Updates & VIP Access to Exclusive Real Estate Investment Opportunities
Canadian Real Estate Wealth Media Corp. needs the contact information you provide to us to contact you with news and market updates and to share real estate investment opportunities. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For information on how to unsubscribe, as well as our privacy practices and commitment to protecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy.
Market saturation is when the supply of products or services outweighs the demand. Understand what market saturation means for your investment properties.
“Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the latest news, updates and offers delivered directly to your inbox.”