Attached is a template letter any OREIO members can send to tenants, along with the flyer from Ottawa Public Health.

The template letter addresses

·         Possible operational changes at buildings

·         Paying the rent

·         Public Health Requests

·         Getting food or medications

·         Dealing with COVID-19 symptoms or exposure

As to paying the rent, Ontario has suspended all evictions (with no end date in sight), and so landlords are not in any position to enforce rent payments.  The letter seeks to get ahead of that, encouraging tenants to pay if they can, seeking partial payments if they have issues, and positioning landlords well for public opinion.

Just like the other sections, landlords can edit the section about paying rent. However, remember that the public expects landlords to accommodate people who cannot pay, and we want to maintain a good relationship with our tenants.