Renters protected from eviction and late payments for next three months due to COVID-19

The firm grip of restrictions tightened on Friday, March 27 as Premier Jason Kenney announced new measures to keep the spread of COVID-19 as low as possible. During a meeting of the Emergency Management Committee in cabinet, the provincial government determined that several new measures were necessary to further strengthen protection for Albertans. Previously, the maximum size of group gatherings was 50 but during the live press conference, Premier Kenney announced that it was lowered further.

“While getting outdoors and getting fresh air and exercise is important for both our physical and mental health this must not occur in groups of more than 15 people. At all such gatherings, indoors and out, the two-metre social distancing guidelines must be observed. To further prevent large group gatherings, we are closing vehicle access to provincial parks and public lands,” he said. He also announced the immediate closure of all non-essential businesses including close-contact services such as hair salons and aesthetics and all non-emergency and non-critical health services provided by regulated health professionals or registered professionals. That list includes dentists, physiotherapy, massage, and optometry, just to name a few.

“Furthermore, all dine-in restaurants must close for dine-in service, but they can continue to offer take-out and delivery services. Non-essential retail stores like clothing stores, computer and gaming stores and services in shopping malls such as hobby and toy stores, gift and specialty item stores, and furniture stores must close at this time.” However, stores classified as non-essential but offer essential services on-site can remain open at this time. A comprehensive list of business guidelines can be found at www.alberta.ca.  

One of the biggest topics discussed during the press conference was that of renter protection. “First, no-one will be evicted April 1 for non-payment of rent. Civil enforcements of evictions currently underway for tenants for non-payment of rent will be suspended until April 30 and that includes folks who have not been able to pay their rent for the last few months,” said Premier Kenney.

“Second, no-one will see their rent increase while Alberta’s State of Public Health Emergency remains in effect. I repeat, we are putting a freeze on the rent levels as they are effective today including rent increases for which notice was given months ago. Third, late fees cannot be applied to late rent payments for the next three months.” This includes both stationary homes and mobile homes.

“And, fourth, for as long as the Public Health Emergency remains in affect, landlords will be obliged to negotiate payment plans that accommodate their renter’s financial circumstances. Renters will be obliged to pay their rent as fully and consistently as possible and both the renters and landlords will be obliged to consider the financial support they are getting from the provincial and federal governments,” he explained.

He said the reason for renter protection is to help protect those who had to self-isolate or were laid off in the last few weeks and haven’t had income. Since the newly created federal unemployment benefits don’t come into effect until April, the government wanted to ensure that renters would not be penalized for the current situation. 

Service Alberta Minister Nate Glubish was on hand to explain further. “In suspending evictions for the month of April, we are ensuring that Albertans who are unable to pay their rent are not putting themselves or others at risk in a time when we are practicing self-isolation and social or physical distancing. We are asking landlords and tenants to work together for the months to come. If a tenant is not able to pay the rent their landlord must make a reasonable attempt to create a meaningful and flexible payment plan, collaborating with their tenant, and may not apply to evict their tenant if such a plan has not been entered into or reasonably attempted to be entered into.”

Premier Kenney said there are still protections in place for landlords especially if they are dealing with criminal activity or have a tenant causing damage to their property. “To be clear, all these protections will be voided for any renter who willfully damages or commits criminal acts within their landlord’s property. We want landlords to understand that they can still protect the value of their property from renters.”

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, also spoke during the live press conference which routinely takes place at 3:30 p.m. each weekday and stressed how important it is for Albertans to listen and act responsibly. “No matter where you are or what you’re doing, practice social distancing by staying two metres apart at all times. No matter the work site or gathering place, take steps to make sure anyone who is ill does not attend. If you are feeling unwell, you must stay home.”

She explained that, effective immediately, Alberta Health Services will be postponing any diagnostic imaging procedures that are considered non-urgent by the ordering physician. “To be clear, anyone needing an urgent or emergent outpatient CT and MRI scan will still receive one. Any bloodwork that is critical to a patient’s immediate care will continue to be tested but we must free up more lab space for our aggressive COVID-19 testing.”

She recognized that the measures would fundamentally reshape peoples lives and that they may need to be in place for many weeks or even months. “This is a delicate balance and we are implementing the restrictions that appear right for the situation in Alberta at this time. Dr. Hinshaw also spoke directly to those who are sick at this time or who may end up getting sick in the future. “I want to stress that those who fall ill with COVID-19 symptoms or any other illness have not done anything wrong.” She also urged Albertans to be caring of each other and offer support when able to. “I want to stress that the future of this pandemic is in our hands. We have a say in how COVID-19 will impact our province.”