What is Bill 184?

Bill 184 is comprised of at least in part changes to the Residential Tenancies Act, the law governing relations between residential landlords and tenants in Ontario.  Prior to the Bill’s passage, many tenant groups protested and warned us all that thousands of tenants will be evicted without a hearing.  In fact, nothing much at that end has changed, other than allowing landlords and tenants to make private arrangements outside the Landlord and Tenant Board that can be enforced in the same way as if they attended mediation on Hearing Day.

Can a Tenant be Evicted Without a Hearing Under this New Law?

First, we need to discuss facts about the existing Act before Bill 184 came into place.  As someone that has represented hundreds of parties before the Board over the years of its existence, the Act always had an option for what is called an ‘ex parte’ hearing.  The Landlord and Tenant go to a Hearing but, before the hearing they sort out their issues with the help of a Mediator.  After they arrive at an agreement, they attend before the Adjudicator and ask for a consent order.  A Consent Order is what makes the agreement enforceable and less likely to be overturned on review. Read more… “Evictions Under Bill 184: Are They Really Easier?” →