Tenants & Landlords
To find out more information, click on the appropriate link below. This information can also be found on the Landlord & Tenant Board website of the Ontario government.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This section gives answers to the most common questions received by the Landlord and Tenant Board (the Board).
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?
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