What you need to know about renting in Ontario

An ongoing series about tenants' rights and responsibilities in Ontario.

Can you be evicted from your rental home in the winter?

In Ontario, tenants cannot be evicted for frivolous reasons and the Residential Tenancies Act affords a number of protections that might help to prevent that from happening. But there's a widespread...

'We have been heard': Advocates laud Toronto's renoviction bylaw framework

Tenant advocates marked a huge win Wednesday as the City of Toronto released the details of a long awaited "renoviction" bylaw. The bylaw is aimed at preventing evictions under the guise of renovations,...
The boiler broke in your rental home. Now what?

Ontario landlords are expected to provide certain basic services to their tenants and if they break down, tenants must inform them in a timely manner and they’re expected to take action. As per the...
An eviction order doesn't always mean you have to move

In Ontario, tenants can only be evicted from a rental home if the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) issues an eviction order. However in some specific circumstances, tenants still have recourse and can...
Your landlord did not make the improvements they promised. Now what?

When landlords in Ontario make significant improvements to a rental unit or residential complex, they can legally apply for a rent increase above the provincial cap for providing those services, referred...
What tenants in Ontario need to know about privacy rights

Tenants in Ontario are largely afforded a high degree of privacy in their rental units, but there are several grey areas in the law that are open to interpretation. The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA)...
What Toronto's proposed property tax increase means for renters

Editors note: This article has been corrected to reflect the accurate yearly rent increase structure for above guideline increases. A total 10.5 per cent property tax increase has been proposed for...
Need to know: Renting in a rooming house in Ontario

Shared accommodations are an affordable option for renters and rooming houses may offer a convenient solution for many looking to keep housing costs as low as possible. Rooming houses are legal in Ontario,...
You received an eviction notice for 'illegal activity.' Now what?

If a landlord believes a tenant is doing something illegal in their rental unit, it's obvious they can take steps to evict them. The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) lays out a specific procedure and reasons...
The unit you're renting has been deemed 'illegal.' Now what?

If a rental unit in Ontario is found to be "illegal" in some way, tenants could face eviction – but they still have rights and proper procedures must be followed. What makes a unit "illegal"? Kevin...