Tenant Rights in Ontario

The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA)

The RTA is the law that governs most residential rentals in Ontario. It sets out the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants, and establishes the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) to resolve disputes.

Key Tenant Rights

• Right to a written lease (Standard Ontario Lease required since April 2018)
• Right to reasonable enjoyment of your rental unit
• Right to have guests and roommates (with some conditions)
• Protection from illegal eviction - landlords must follow proper procedures
• Right to privacy - landlords must give 24 hours notice before entry
• Right to sublet with landlord consent (which cannot be unreasonably withheld)

Rent Increases

In Ontario, landlords can only increase rent once every 12 months by the provincial rent increase guideline (typically 1-2.5%). They must give 90 days written notice using the proper form (N1).

Eviction Rules

A landlord cannot simply ask you to leave. They must have a valid reason under the RTA, serve proper notice, and in most cases get an order from the LTB. Valid reasons include non-payment of rent, causing damage, illegal activity, or the landlord requiring the unit for their own use.

Roommate Situations

If you're a roommate but not on the lease, you have fewer protections under the RTA. You're considered a "guest" of the primary tenant, not a tenant of the landlord. The primary tenant can ask you to leave with reasonable notice.