SASKATOON -- An advocacy group for landlords in the province is calling on Premier Scott Moe to set up a provincially-funded rent bank, to offer landlords and renters immediate financial relief for those impacted by COVID-19.
"We know tenants are going to have trouble paying for rent come April 1 because of job losses, layoffs and lower hours at work and we know income has been affected," Saskatchewan Landlord Association executive officer Cameron Choquette said.
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With April rent due in about a week's time, Choquette said his association is encouraging landlords and tenants to open the lines of communication and see if they can work out a payment plan.
However, Choquette said there will be some cases where landlords cannot afford to allow their tenants forgiveness on a month’s rent because of their own financial situation.
On Sunday the association sent Moe and a handful of other provincial cabinet ministers a letter, requesting the province move to immediately create and fund a "rent bank" to support Saskatchewan renters that are financially affected by COVID-19.
In the letter, Choquette said the model of a rent bank is well-proven in other jurisdictions across Canada including Ontario and British Columbia.
"Funds disbursed through a provincially-funded rent bank would be paid directly to landlords, ensuring that the funds are used for the intended purpose," he said.
