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?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?