Ontario homeowners could have a lien placed on their home -- and not even know it
Door-to-door sales were banned in Ontario four years ago, but before they were stopped, many people ended up stuck in expensive long-term rental contracts for furnace, water heaters and air conditioners.
If you did sign an agreement to rent equipment for your home a lien may have been placed on your property without your knowledge.
Shirley Coultis said after her brother Richard Hancock of Markham, Ont., died in March of this year she was put in charge to handle his financial affairs and was shocked at what she discovered.
“There are multiple contracts with multiple companies all with different names, " said Coultis.
Coultis found out her brother, who she called a trusting person with medical issues, had signed multiple contracts to rent six different items including a furnace, air filter and water softener.
Despite already paying more than $15,000 in rental fees, Coultis found there were four registered liens on his home for $36,290.
"It's legal that they can put liens on your house without you knowing and it's absolutely outrageous that they are allowed to do that," said Coultis.
Venus Lopez, also of Markham, said an air conditioner was installed at her home seven years ago and she said she later felt misled and quit making the rental payments.
Lopez later found out there was a lien placed on her home for $14,829.
“I can’t believe they put a lien on my property. I feel humiliated, I can't sleep and it bothers me," Lopez said.
Dennis Crawford is a lawyer with Ontario HVAC Scam, a company that said it helps homeowners find out if they have liens on their homes and for a fee tries to have them removed.
“I call it a scam because the entire business model of these rental contracts is based on deception," said Crawford.
Crawford said many people are unaware they have a lien on their home until they go to sell it.
"They really don't care about the monthly payments because they make their real money when you have to sell your house you have no choice but to pay them to remove the lien," Crawford said.
Ontario HVAC Scam said the fee to remove a lien from a home will vary, but it says for a typical case it will charge about $5,000. Crawford said there is a money back guarantee if they are unable to have the lien removed.
Crawford said Ontario HVAC Scam will do a title check for free to see if you have a lien on your home. You can also do one through Service Ontario and Onland using the property search function for a fee of about $30.
Crawford says companies should not be allowed to place a lien on people's homes without them knowing.
"The Ontario government needs to close this loophole that allows companies to put liens on homes without the homeowner’s permission," said Crawford.
When CTV News Toronto reached out to the companies that had liens on Hancock’s home they removed them and forgave the entire amount. The company that had a lien on Lopez’s home also removed the lien on her home and also forgave the amount owing.
Even though most door-to-door sales are banned in Ontario, there are still some products that can be sold at the door. Be careful signing any contract and before renting equipment do the math to see if you'd be better off buying it.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.