In responding publicly to the report, FRPO wishes to make the following points:
- FRPO is pleased to see that Ontario’s Fire Marshall recommends that local fire departments become more engaged in hoarding issues which threaten the safety of tenants. This may become an additional resource for landlords looking to address this sometimes difficult challenge.
- We agree with the Fire Marshall’s recommendation that Ontarians should contact their local fire departments if they are aware of dwellings where an excessive amount of combustible materials are present that may pose a fire safety risk.
- We will work cooperatively to ensure FRPO member landlords remain vigilant in reporting tenants who create a fire risk by collecting an excessive amount of combustible materials in their units.
- Legislative and regulatory changes are needed, however, to allow landlords to address challenges with hoarders. Access to units for inspections is often difficult.
- Even if landlords are aware of hoarding, the remedy process in Ontario is extremely difficult and prolonged. Tenants are provided with an extended period of time to comply with termination notices in cases of extreme hoarding, and in cases where an eviction is sought, the current process through the Landlord Tenant Board in Ontario can take up to three to four months to resolve.