Evictions are paused for all tenants who canSA国际影视传媒檛 make rent during the pandemic, according to documents two MLAs shared on social media on Saturday.

The documents show a temporary change that will allow renters to defer rent until theySA国际影视传媒檙e able to pay, according to screen shots shared by Inuvik Twin Lakes MLA Lesa Semmler and Frame Lake MLA Kevin OSA国际影视传媒橰eilly. 

Under the change, renters canSA国际影视传媒檛 be evicted as long as they provide written notice to their landlords. The changes were signed by health minister Diane Thom on April 9, according to the documents.

SA国际影视传媒淏etter late than never,SA国际影视传媒� OSA国际影视传媒橰eilly wrote about the changes.

Last month, he said relief could be offered to renters through a grant program or tax deferrals. He also suggested loans for landlords, or backing tenants who canSA国际影视传媒檛 make payments.

Semmler echoed those calls on social media.

SA国际影视传媒淲hile this is helpful, there is still no financial assistance for tenants or small landlords,SA国际影视传媒� Semmler wrote about the changes.

The changes come weeks after regular MLAs passed a request for the territorial government to pause evictions and give financial relief to tenants and small landlords.

How it works

Tenants whoSA国际影视传媒檝e lost work and income as result of the crisis must provide written notice to their landlords. They may also have to provide evidence, if the landlord requests it. 

Further, the notice should explain why theySA国际影视传媒檙e unable to make rent, and how the tenant plans to pay rent later. 

Once they've receiving that notice, landlords canSA国际影视传媒檛 apply for eviction for non-payment of rent. They can still apply to evict a tenant for other reasons, like damaging their unit or disturbing their neighbours.

This also includes failing to meet an obligation in the tenantSA国际影视传媒檚 agreement with the landlord, or if the agreement canSA国际影视传媒檛 be carried out. Tenants can also be evicted if they impair the safety of the landlord or other tenants.

That said, the territorial government hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 been carrying out evictions before the recent changes, according to an April 3 statement from an unnamed GNWT spokesperson.

That statement said the the SheriffSA国际影视传媒檚 Office wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 evicting tenants for SA国际影视传媒渇ailure to pay rent until the public service of the Government of the Northwest Territories resumes regular operations after the current public health emergency has sufficiently subsided.

SA国际影视传媒淲e would caution that there could still be evictions where a tenantSA国际影视传媒檚 conduct has been determined to present a danger to other persons or property, but they would be a rare occurrence,SA国际影视传媒� the unnamed spokesperson added.

According to the documents MLAs shared, the government expects tenants to pay rent as soon as theySA国际影视传媒檙e able. Payment is required as soon as the regulation is appealed.

SA国际影视传媒淭here is uncertainty around how long the impacts of Covid-19 will require this protection to be in place,SA国际影视传媒� the documents said. SA国际影视传媒�(B)ut the situation is being closely monitored and any further changes and the eventual repeal of these protections will be publicly communicated.SA国际影视传媒�