Guelph Landlord Finally Evicts Tenants After Two-Year Legal Battle

Wednesday, June 25th, 2025 - 9:03 am
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A Guelph landlord has successfully evicted tenants after a lengthy legal dispute that began in 2022, culminating in an enforcement order executed this past week.

Juan Monterroza, the property owner, stated that the ordeal has cost his family approximately $135,000 in unpaid rent and associated expenses. The tenants, who had occupied a rental home on Sinclair Street, ceased consistent rent payments shortly after moving in, according to a decision issued by the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) on April 9.

Despite a formal eviction order requiring the tenants to vacate the property by April 16, compliance did not occur. Monterroza then obtained a court enforcement order from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, which authorized a sheriff to carry out the eviction.

During Covid, some select local media gave voice to a group of people who were encouraging tenants to not pay rent in the city of Guelph. Today, we may be seeing the results of such movements – having had a lasting negative impact on landlords.

The tenants—identified as CM, WB, and RM—each filed for bankruptcy during the proceedings, a tactic that delayed prior eviction attempts. Due to their bankruptcy declarations, Monterroza is unable to recover the owed rent.

The LTB found Monterroza’s testimony credible, supported by documentation and consistent financial records. The ruling also noted that CM, one of the tenants, previously made false statements and failed to follow through on commitments in earlier proceedings. Her testimony was ultimately deemed unreliable and self-serving, with no corroborating evidence presented to support her claims regarding her financial or personal circumstances.

The other two tenants did not attend the most recent LTB hearing.

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