Catherine Fife MPP, Waterloo

Government of Ontario

Tenants and Landlords

This information can also be found on the Landlord & Tenant Board website of the Ontario government.

 

About the Board and the Residential Tenancies Act

  • What does the Landlord and Tenant Board do?
  • Who is covered by the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (the Act)?
  • How can I talk to someone about the Act?
  • Where can I get a copy of the Residential Tenancies Act (the Act)?
  • Where can I get copies of the Landlord and Tenant Board’s forms and brochures?

Starting a Tenancy

  • Can a landlord ask a person applying for a rental unit to provide information about their income, credit references and rental history?
  • Do landlords and tenants have to have a written lease or tenancy agreement?
  • What information should be included in a tenancy agreement?
  • Can I get a lease or rental application from the Landlord and Tenant Board?
  • What information does a landlord have to give to a new tenant?
  • Can a landlord charge a person a deposit or a fee for allowing them to rent a unit?
  • Can the landlord refuse to rent to a person if they have a pet?

Maintenance and Repair

  • Who is responsible for maintaining the unit?
  • Can a tenant withhold rent because their landlord isn’t properly maintaining their building or unit?
  • What should a tenant do if repairs are needed to their building or unit?
  • Can a tenant pay their rent to the Board if their landlord isn’t properly maintaining their building or unit?
  • Who is responsible for snow removal?
  • Who is responsible for garbage removal?
  • When does a landlord have to turn the heat on?  What temperature does my landlord have to keep my apartment at?
  • What can a tenant do if their landlord does not turn on the heat?
  • Does a landlord have to renovate a rental unit before a tenant moves in?  Or, renovate it after the tenant has lived there a couple of years?

Entering the Tenant’s Unit

  • Can the landlord enter a tenant’s unit?
  • Can a tenant refuse to let the landlord in if the landlord wants to enter their unit?
  • What can happen if a landlord enters a unit illegally?
  • Can a tenant change the locks?
  • Can the landlord change the locks?

Rent

  • How is the rent on a rental unit decided?
  • How often can my rent be increased?
  • How much can a landlord legally increase the rent this year?
  • Does a landlord have to notify a tenant of a rent increase?
  • Does a landlord have to give rent receipts?
  • What information must be provided in a receipt?
  • When is rent considered late?
  • If a tenant is late with their rent, what can the landlord do?

Rent Deposits and Other Charges

  • Can a landlord charge a person a deposit or a fee to rent a unit?
  • Can a landlord ask a tenant to pay money to update their rent deposit?
  • Does a landlord have to pay interest if a rent deposit is collected?
  • Can a landlord ask for a deposit for keys?
  • Can the landlord charge for additional or replacement keys?
  • If the landlord changes the locks, can the landlord charge the tenant for the new keys?
  • Can the landlord charge the tenant a damage deposit?
  • Can a landlord charge a fee if a tenant’s rent cheque is returned NSF?

How a Tenant Can End a Tenancy

  • How much notice does a tenant have to give if they want to move out?
  • Can a tenant break a lease?
  • What is the difference between assigning and subletting a unit?
  • How can a tenant sublet their unit?
  • What happens if a tenant assigns or sublets their unit without the landlord’s consent?

How a Landlord Can Evict a Tenant

  • What is the process for evicting a tenant?
  • Can a tenant be evicted without a hearing?
  • Can a tenant be evicted in the winter?
  • For what reasons can a landlord evict a tenant?
  • Can a landlord evict a tenant for having a pet?
  • Can a tenant be evicted for having a roommate?
  • Can a tenant be evicted if the landlord wants to use the unit themselves?
  • Can a tenant be evicted if the landlord sells the house and the purchaser wants to move in?
  • Can a tenant be evicted for something that their roommate or a guest they allow into the rental unit does?
  • What can a tenant do if the landlord gives them a Notice of Termination?

Abandoned Unit

  • If the tenant didn’t give notice that they were leaving, but the landlord believes the tenant has left the rental unit – can the landlord change the locks and re-rent the unit?
  • What can a landlord do with property that is left in the unit after the tenant has moved out or been evicted?

Applications to the Board

  • How can I file an application with the Board?
  • How much does an application cost?
  • How can I pay for an application?
  • How will I know if an application has been filed against me?
  • What can I do if an application is filed against me?
  • If the landlord files an eviction application about non-payment of rent, can a tenant stop the eviction process before the hearing?

Hearings at the Board

  • What happens at a hearing?
  • What issues can a tenant raise at a hearing of a landlord’s application based on non-payment of rent?
  • Do I need a lawyer or agent?
  • Does the Board supply an interpreter at hearings?
  • Can I ask someone else to go to the hearing in my place?
  • What if the hearing date is not good for me – can I have it moved to another day?
  • What happens if I am late for my hearing?
  • What happens if I do not attend my hearing?
  • Does the Board always hold a hearing to resolve an application?

Board Decisions

  • How do I find out about the decision on my application?
  • If I don’t agree with the decision that is made, is there anything that I can do?
  • What is an ex parte order and how can it be set aside?
  • What can be done if the landlord or tenant refuses to pay the other any money they were ordered to pay by the Board?
  • What can a landlord do if the tenant does not move out of the unit by the date set out in the eviction order?