Below is a collection of information for tenants, landlords, and home owners about mortgages and property taxes.
Mortgages
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has introduced the COVID-19 Mortgage Payment Deferral program. The deferral is an agreement between you and your lender. Typically, the agreement indicates that you and your lender have agreed to pause or suspend your mortgage payments for a certain amount of time due to the current circumstances. After the agreement ends, your mortgage payments return to normal and the missed payments — including principal and accumulated interest – are repaid. This allows you to skip your mortgage payment for a specified amount of time but does not eliminate the amount owed on your mortgage, and any interest that hasn’t been paid during the deferral period continues to be added to the outstanding principal of your mortgage. Details of the repayment will vary according to the specific lender and situation. Please contact the holder of your mortgages for more information.
Evictions
The Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) will not be accepting applications for eviction related to missed or late rent as a result of the COVID-19 emergency. Tenants who are unable to pay their rent during the state of emergency will be expected to pay their rent in full once the state of emergency is over. The ORT is a provincial agency under provincial legislation; however, the City would echo the ORT’s encouragement that landlords and tenants communicate with each other about their individual situations so that they can come to mutually agreeable solutions in this challenging time. Landlords are encouraged to find working solutions that do not involve evicting tenants, as the economic conditions are challenging, and public health measures are in place. The ORT has more information on their website https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/…
Property Taxes
Regina City Council has approved the immediate implementation of the Utility Payment Deferral Program, which will enable residents and businesses to defer payments toward their water utility account for up to six months with no late payment charges or interest charges applied.
The City is suspending all payment collection activity on overdue utility accounts, and no water service will be shut off for residents with outstanding account balances or who are unable to pay. Residents are also encouraged to contact the City to discuss a customized payment plan that will provide the financial flexibility they need.
The City is also proposing to postpone the deadline to pay 2020 property taxes. Tax notices will be issued on schedule in May, but property owners will have until after September 30 before penalties are applied. Residents may also sign up for Budget Billing and the Tax Installment Payment Program Service (TIPPS) online at www.Regina.ca Both services enable residents to pay for their utility bills and property taxes in smaller installments deducted monthly from their financial institution.