A COUPLE says they couldn’t move into their new home after the previous tenant refused to move out, a situation they say the government and police were no help with.

Canadian residents Lorrie and Don McKibbon were initially prepared to close on the property in Hamilton, Ontario, on May 8, but the journey they endured to move in wasn’t easy.

After only receiving the keys to their new home this month, they began the process of cleaning out all of the items left inside by the previous owner.

Speaking to CHCH News about their situation, and how the previous tenant couldn’t pay rent and didn’t leave for months due to not being able to afford to live anywhere else, the couple revealed how much clutter was left by the previous tenant.

Lorrie said: “I don’t think it’s hit yet. I’ve been here so many times looking at the house, and wandering around the place.”

Her husband followed up with: “It’s been stressful. It’s been up and down, up and down.”

Prior to the tenant finally moving out and the McKibbons being able to move in, they had put up a sign reading: “Squatters! Your time is up! Leave now.”

They even parked their trailer in the driveway in an attempt to get the tenant to leave.

The MicKibbons recounted police calling the issue “a civil matter” and weren’t able to help.

Don admitted he was worried he “could be charged with trespassing” if he was caught on the property.

Lori added: “I sent emails to Doug Ford [Canadian politician]. I sent them to his housing. I never received anything back.”

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The couple is also said to have reached out to Canadian politician Neil Lumsden, who also didn’t answer their pleas.

The McKibbons insisted that the landlord and tenant board also didn’t help much.

“The courts [landlord and tenant board] did not help, they hindered us more than they helped us,” Lori said.

Don continued: “The courts did nothing for us. It was the media that put the pressure on. … The system is failed.”

CHCH News reached out to real estate lawyer Crys Masterson who said she often sees cases like the McKibbons, where the tenants refuse to leave.

The lawyer stated: “There’s certainly an imbalance in favor of tenants and there needs to be protection for tenants and that’s important.

“But the way it’s set up now it’s just not practical. They need to do some kind of overhaul.”

Meanwhile, the previous tenant who ultimately left, allowing for the McKibbons, told CHCH he finally left the place due to his health and the new owners wanting him to leave.

Despite the struggles the McKibbons dealt with to get to their move-in date, they are grateful for the support they’ve received from others in the community and the media.

Additionally, they attributed some of their move-in success to the help of Canadian politician Matthew Green MP.

Now, they are hoping to be fully moved into the house by the end of the month.