The provincial government has temporarily suspended eviction hearings as a result of the COVID-19 emergency as of March 26.聽
The Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) will not be accepting applications for evictions related to missed or late rent, or for other non-urgent claims. Previous eviction orders for non-urgent matters (i.e. 鈥� not related to health and safety concerns) will not be enforced and scheduled hearings for non-urgent matters were cancelled.
The ORT will only conduct eviction hearings for urgent situations where there is a potential risk to health or safety resulting from violence or damage to property. Hearings may also take place for situations where a tenant had been locked out by their landlord, or where a landlord was accused of not providing essential services such as power and water.聽
鈥淯nder the circumstances, we want to ensure that tenants facing hardship as a result of COVID-19 can remain in their homes and follow all orders and recommendations from the Chief Medical Officer,鈥� Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan said.聽鈥淎n essential part of flattening the curve is staying home and self-isolating.聽 We want to provide piece of mind that those taking the necessary precautions as a result of this unprecedented situation will still have a roof over their head.鈥澛�
Tenants unable to pay their rent during the state of emergency will be expected to pay their rent in full once the emergency is over. This action is being taken in recognition of the fact that Saskatchewan is currently in an unprecedented state of emergency, which might result in unforeseen financial hardships or health consequences for tenants.聽
The provincial government is specifically concerned that evicted tenants will be unable to self-isolate or physically distance themselves from others, potentially increasing the risk of transmitting or contracting COVID-19.聽
The ORT has encouraged landlords and tenants to communicate with each other about their individual situations, so that they can come to mutually agreeable solutions in this challenging time.
