Homeowners and tenants affected by COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of some landlords and tenants in Windsor.

As of now, there are a total of 12,719 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Windsor area with 368 deaths. According to a release from the province of Ontario, Windsor-Essex moved out of the lockdown and into the Red –Control level of the COVID-19 Response Framework this past Tuesday.

Wei Chun, a student tenant based in Windsor, said that the pandemic has changed his life as a tenant.

“When you stay with different people, you share areas like the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room,” said Chun. “So we have to sanitize each and every (commonly used)item before the next person uses them.”

Chun also said that life in the pandemic had become more expensive.

“The expenses increased,” said Chun. “We had to buy hand sanitizers, gloves and masks. We have to wear masks when we are in the common areas.”

Tauhid Uz Zaman, a landlord based in Windsor, said the pandemic has affected him as a landlord.

“The pandemic situation is difficult for a landlord because it is difficult to find tenants who are qualified to live in the house,” said Zaman. “We had to lower the rent by 20-30 per cent,”

Zaman also said that new clients have to undergo a COVID-test in order to gain tenancy.

“If a new person wants to move in, they have to prove it(that they’re healthy) by a negative COVID-test result,” said Zaman.

The Government of Ontario has passed legislation to freeze rent at 2020 levels for the majority of rented units covered under the Residential Tenancies Act.