Next month, landlords will be able to send eviction applications to the Office of Residential Tenancies for non-payment of rent.
Landlords can start applying Aug. 4.
“When the pandemic began, we wanted to ensure tenants facing hardship as a result of COVID-19 were able to take the necessary social-distancing measures,” said Don Morgan, the justice minister.
“With the success of flattening the curve in Saskatchewan, we believe it’s appropriate to lift the moratorium on non-urgent evictions.”
The opposition NDP said the government has no plan to ensure that families who have made great personal and financial sacrifices during the COVID-19 lockdown are able to stay in their homes.
“A spike in evictions as the economy re-opens and as parents prepare to send their kids back to school would be disruptive for the economy and for families,” said Nicole Sarauer, the justice critic.
“The province needs to sit down with landlords and tenants and come back with a plan to ensure that we do not see families who have acted in good faith put out on the street.”
Those landlords applying for an eviction will have to submit their application by email or mail, as there is no in-person service.
In a media release, the province encouraged landlords and tenants to communicate with each other about their individual situations so that they can come to mutually agreeable solutions.
