Social distancing regulations are affecting every aspect of Toronto life—including the stress of deciding what to do with a delayed Moving Day.

With evictions sensibly frozen and public health departments telling all of us to stay at home to stay safe, thousands of families—the Canadian Real Estate Association reports 65,494 homes were sold across Canada in January and February—are unsure whether Moving Day is happening.

With so much up in the air, we’d like to offer some quick facts on the ever-changing situation and how you can keep your housing stable.

House-hunting during a pandemic

For people who have bought or sold a new home, there is very real uncertainty around reaching closing day. The Ontario government has declared real estate an essential service and realtors are still available by email and phone but COVID-19 has put real obstacles into finding a new home this month.

The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) has told its members to stop “all face-to-face business, including open houses, agent and public office hours, and in-person showings, particularly of tenant-occupied homes, during the Province’s COVID-19 state of emergency.”

Those responsible actions, aimed at preventing COVID-19 exposure, are also being taken up by many home inspectors and contractors, who are focusing on emergency repairs only.

The City of Toronto’s building inspections department is also prioritizing emergency building inspections, and still evaluating whether it’s safe to do the occupancy inspections that new homes and high-rises must pass before letting buyers move in.

Even historically low hotel bookings might not last, as the City of Toronto buys out entire hotels to shelter our most vulnerable neighbours.

The upside: We’re pulling together as an industry and society to keep each other healthy in ways that will save lives.

The downside: Even if you’ve already signed your paperwork, it might be very difficult to meet your conditions of sale, close on time, or find a new home if you’ve sold without buying yet.

Staying sheltered and staying safe

If you’re facing a gap between your old home and your new one, our fully furnished rentals are already designed to reduce stress during a housing emergency.

Located in stable residential buildings across the GTA, our suites let you settle down in your own neighbourhood—or your new one!—and minimize any disruption to your daily routines until your new home closes, or you can start your search again.

Our suites come fully equipped with bath towels, toiletries, ensuite laundry and detergent, and everything you need to cook your usual favourites already in the kitchen. If you’ve already done your packing, there’s no need to do it twice: you can use our basics—furniture, kitchen supplies, and linens—until it’s time to unpack in your new home. Our cleaning staff are taking thorough safety precautions with every suite.

And with all utilities included—broadband internet, cable TV, hydro, water, and long-distance telephone packages—you don’t have to do the work of moving your own accounts, and can easily work from home.

Booking your temporary home

During this unprecedented public health emergency, we know everything’s changing quickly, so we’re offering flexibility on your arrival and departure dates. Our support staff will work with you to extend your stay, get the childproofing supplies or furniture you need, and solve any problems you encounter.

And in recognition of the times, we’ve made significant cuts to our nightly rates, so every one of our neighbours can safely have a home—even if you’re between homes.

Book through our website or email Info@delsuites.com with your unique situation, and we’ll do our best to help you, crisis or not, have a place to call home.

With the spread of COVID-19, we’re all working together to keep each other safe in an unprecedented global health emergency. If you’re struggling with housing trouble during the COVID-19 pandemic, DelSuites can help you settle down securely with all the resources you’ll need to keep yourself and others well.

To do our part, we’ve reduced our rates in all our fully-furnished Toronto rental suites. If you’re:

• a stranded traveler;
• a Toronto resident whose housing arrangements have fallen through;
• an essential or frontline health worker self-isolating from immunocompromised or vulnerable loved ones;
• an immunocompromised or high-risk person self-isolating from a loved one who’s fallen ill;
• a new parent isolating from a loved one who’s fallen ill;
• anyone isolating from loved ones returning to Ontario who are quarantined under the federal government’s mandatory 14-day order;
• anyone for whom isolating at home is unsafe;

We can provide you a safe, stocked-up, and clean home away from home.

A temporary home you can rely on

Our suites, located in stable residential buildings across Toronto and the GTA, are equipped with new and modern fixtures, a full selection of kitchen supplies including a start-up kit of essentials (coffee, tea, dish and laundry detergent), and ensuite laundry to keep your clothes clean without risking transmission.

Each suite has been thoroughly professionally cleaned for your stay using fresh cleaning cloths and bleach-based disinfectants by staff equipped with gloves and masks. To keep them clean, we’re offering virtual tours so you can get to know your new space without worrying about viral vectors.

We’re also keeping up with the latest news from Toronto, Ontario, and Canada’s Public Health authorities to adjust our safety measures as new information emerges, and all suites are already stocked with soap and toiletries to help you maintain good handwashing practices.

All the utilities in our suites are fully included, without extra fees. Our high-speed broadband internet and international long-distance calling can keep you in touch with friends and loved ones—and able to work from your suite—and if you’re in need of a distraction, complete premium cable packages are available at the touch of a button.

When you’re in need of fresh air, most of our suites feature balconies to let you safely get outside.

Support when you need it

Our buildings are staffed by conscientious concierges and staff who can help you figure out the best way to receive deliveries, mail, or personal necessities, and are located within the delivery areas for major grocery services. Their 24-hour security personnel and on-call managers are an instant support network which can assist you in case of emergency—medical or otherwise.

With Toronto’s COVID situation changing day by day, we’ve built flexibility into our cancellation policy. We’re waiving our cancellation fees for bookings cancelled any time before arrival, and offering options for you to extend or shorten your reservation if necessary.

In case of any questions, we have three ways to contact our team, day or night: by phone at 416.296.8838, email at info@delsuites.com, or via live chat.

In challenging times, we’re all on each other’s team, and DelSuites is ready to be on yours. Contact us anytime with a portrait of your unique housing needs during this crisis, and we’ll help meet them.