Excessive Visits from Real Estate Agents

CET-64293-17 (Re), 2017 CanLII 28748 (ON LTB)

18. The Tenant claims substantial interference or harassment because there are excessive visits from the Landlords’ real estate agent.

19. She testified that the Landlords informed her they had decided to sell the home.

20. Subsection 27(2) of the Act specifies that a landlord or with written authorization of the landlord a real estate broker or salesperson may enter a rental unit in accordance with written notice given to the tenant at least 24 hours before the time of entry to allow a potential purchaser to view the rental unit. Subsection 27(3) of the Act requires the notice to specify the reason for entry, the day of entry and a time of entry between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

21. The first undated text message from the Landlords fails to comply with section 27 of the Act. The message does not specify a time of entry between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and since it states the entry is “this evening” fails to provide 24 hours notice.

22. Entry by a real estate agent was attempted on February 28th without proper notice and another entry was requested by phone at an unknown date.

23. During the first week of March, the Tenant received a message from the Landlords’ real estate agent stating that he intends to show the property every weekend from 1 to 4 p.m.

24. The notice submitted into evidence dated March 4th only partially complies with section 27 of the Act. The Landlords provided 24 hours notice for the March 5th entry however merely stating “he will be visiting during week days too this week” does not comply with the Act.

25. I am awarding the Tenant a rent abatement of $25.00 for each of the five attempts at entry described above. The total amount awarded to the Tenant for substantial interference with reasonable enjoyment because the Landlords failed to comply with the entry provisions under the Act is $125.00.