When faced with problem tenants, landlords call the Terminator

Specialist in evictions says she has ‘been pushed and shoved and been screamed at’

They call her the Terminator.

From food-covered walls to booby traps, April Stewart has seen it all when it comes to terrible tenants.

Over her 15-year career, the owner of Landlord Legal estimates, she has evicted hundreds of people whose habits have plagued landlords across Ontario.

“We don’t want to be fighting, but if someone is going to play dirty they’re going to meet a challenge, and that challenge is me,” she said.

Stewart, a paralegal by trade and former landlord herself, knows a lot about challenges: her career as a landlord legal advocate started with a big one.

In 2006 she was hired to take care of what she casually calls as a “problematic rental complex.”

Tenants weren’t paying rent on time, the police were frequently on site and the building was falling apart.

Stewart moved right into the complex and spent the next year and a half working with residents.

“I was going toe-to-toe with some really aggressive tenants,” she said.

Landlord Legal provides advocacy and representation to residential landlords. Their services include evicting tenants and legally representing landlords before the Landlord and Tenant Board and in small claims court.

A self-described “little gal,” Stewart might not cut a very intimidating figure — even when she roars up on her motorcycle, a 950cc Yamaha V Star. But she means business. “I don’t want people to get the impression that I’m going to show up on the bike and start shooting,” she said. “I’m just effective at applying the process and strategizing a case and knowing where to go, based on the wild story that lands in my lap.”

Those stories can sometimes prove too wild to be true. Stewart said she refuses to represent any landlords she believes are trying to do something illegal.

Over the years, word of Stewart’s abilities began to spread. As her legend grew, so did the list of affectionate nicknames created by clients.

Dog the Bounty Hunter and Erin Brockovich are among them, but according to Rob Hilton, a property manager in Barrie, she’s most commonly known as the Terminator.

“Her integrity is top-notch,” he said. “She’s very well respected, but won’t put up with any aggression or ignorance.”

Hilton, who said his company works with Stewart “routinely,” said the goal with tenants is always to maintain good relations, but when they fall apart he looks to the Terminator to take care of things quickly and cleanly.

“She’s very efficient,” he said. “She’s very controlled.”

Being the Terminator isn’t always easy. Tenants often aren’t happy to see Stewart and their reactions can range from cruel emails to physical confrontations.

“I’ve been pushed and shoved and been screamed at and had doors slammed on my arms and legs,” said Stewart.

While her work often involves getting into grubby places or confronting irate tenants, Stewart said she loves her job — especially when it allows her to help small-time “mom and pop” landlords.

“I like the element of helping people very much,” she said. “It feels great to be able to say, ‘We’ll call you when it’s done’ . . . and to hear that sigh of relief on the other end of the phone.”