An Open House In Toronto Exposed A Bunch Of Potential Tenants To COVID-19

Apartment hunting during a pandemic can be a tricky business. A real estate agency found itself in a difficult situation following an open house in Toronto. Potential home buyers were exposed to COVID-19 on September 19 after being shown a property on Bowden Street.

According to CTV News, the showing, which was organized by Home One Realty, took potential tenants to view an apartment where a person with COVID-19 was currently living.

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A sign that read “sorry I’m sick” was reportedly placed on the unit’s door.

“I thought it was incredibly irresponsible for that person, first of all, to be even hosting an open house knowing that there was a sick person inside,” Jeffery Wood, who attended the showing, told CTV.

Narcity reached out to the Toronto Real Estate Board, who confirmed the listing has since been taken down.

“TREB was notified on September 21 about this incident, and we confirmed that the listing was already terminated, and showings have halted,” a spokesperson told Narcity.

The board released a document entitled Open House Guidance back in July, to help real estate agents navigate these new challenges.

“TRREB has stressed to Members that open houses should only be used as a last resort if requested by a seller, and to follow the TRREB Open House guidance document,” the Board added.

According to CTV, the incident has been brought to the attention of the Real Estate Council of Ontario, who is the regulator in charge of the Code of Ethics enforcement.

Narcity has reached out to the Council to find out whether an investigation has been opened.

Rent prices in the city have dropped considerably in recent months. Toronto's average costs are dropping at an unprecedented rate, with some units going for $400 cheaper per month. 

Some residences are upping their incentives for potential tenants, such as several months of free rent and even a move-in bonus of $1500.