Rule-Breaking Landlords and Tenants Could Face Fines as Newfoundland and Labrador Government Revisits Enforcement

Unjust evictions and a lack of enforcement have plagued Newfoundland and Labrador’s housing market. A CBC investigation uncovered that the Residential Tenancies Act’s Section 51, which outlines fines for rule-breaking landlords and tenants, has not been effectively enforced due to a lack of accountability within the responsible department. As a result, private citizens like Caio De Naday Hornhardt, who was wrongfully evicted, have had to pursue legal action on their own to seek justice. The provincial government has finally acknowledged the issue and announced plans to hire a dedicated staffer to shepherd cases to court. However, no firm timelines for implementation have been provided, leaving housing advocates like Sherwin Flight cautiously optimistic. The government’s decision to revisit enforcement is seen as a positive step towards addressing the housing crisis in the province.

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