“Brampton Couple Reclaims Toronto Condo After 4-Year Legal Battle, Tenant Owes $55,000”
After a grueling four-year struggle, Narinder Singh and his wife have finally regained possession of their Toronto waterfront condominium, which had been occupied by a tenant who owes them over $55,000. The eviction was executed by the Sheriff, marking the end of a long and stressful ordeal for the Brampton couple.
“I’m at a loss for words; this has been a harrowing experience,” Singh said moments after the eviction. The couple had been battling for years to evict their tenant, Deeqa Rafle, who inconsistently paid rent and neglected to cover utilities registered under Singh’s name.
Singh estimates his losses at $55,177.85, which includes unpaid rent, utilities, repair costs, and expenses for removing items Rafle left behind. Despite the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board ordering Rafle to pay $35,000—the board’s maximum allowable amount—Singh doubts he will recover the full sum.
On November 25, Sheriff’s representatives changed the locks and removed Rafle from the Mimico neighborhood condo while Global News observed. Although Rafle had reserved an elevator to move out 11 days earlier, she failed to vacate as scheduled. When approached for comment, Rafle declined to respond.
Rafle had cited hospitalization and inability to work as reasons for falling behind on her $2,600 monthly rent. However, Singh alleges Rafle began demanding rent adjustments soon after moving into the high-end condo with a panoramic view of downtown Toronto.
“Squatters like her are well-versed in exploiting the system,” Singh said.
The challenges faced by small landlords like Singh are not unique. Varun Sriskanda, a board member of the Small Ownership Landlords of Ontario (SOLO), emphasized the vulnerability of small-scale property owners.
“The non-payment of rent can financially destroy small landlords,” Sriskanda said, adding that many resort to draining savings, taking second jobs, or refinancing their properties to stay afloat.
Singh and his wife, who operate a dry-cleaning business, saved for years to purchase the condo as an investment for retirement. Now, they are questioning whether the risks of renting out properties outweigh the benefits.
Sriskanda pointed out that Ontario’s housing crisis is exacerbated by such issues, as small landlords—who provide 30% to 40% of the province’s rental units—are increasingly opting out of the market.
“The real losers here are future tenants. The risks for landlords are too high, pushing them to safer investments,” Sriskanda explained.
For Singh and his wife, the ordeal has left them with a bittersweet victory—relief at regaining their property, tempered by financial losses and a deep sense of frustration with the regulatory system.
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