Ontario eyes giving credit bureaus access to LTB orders for renters with history of arrears [Video]

A proposal to make Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) orders accessible to consumer credit bureaus for tenants with a history of rent arrears would make it easier to weed out bad prospective renters, London, Ont., landlords say.

Renters’ advocacy groups worry it could hurt low-income tenants who fall behind by damaging their credit scores and unfairly penalize tenants who withheld rent for negligent maintenance or other issues.

The Ford government revealed the plan in a media backgrounder issued Wednesday as it tabled the Cutting Red Tape, Building Ontario Act as part of a larger omnibus package.

“Ontario is exploring the feasibility of arrangements with one or more registered consumer reporting agencies to facilitate access to Landlord and Tenant Board orders where tenants have a history of missed payments,” it reads.

It would also “enhance online information about rights and responsibilities” of consumer reporting and collection agencies.

Unless submitted by a landlord following an eviction, credit reporting agencies don’t have a direct way …