Tenant rights in Ontario.
A working reference for what Ontario’s residential tenancy law actually requires — the kind of details a lease can’t legally override, and the citations that back them.
Regulator · Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) — Tribunals Ontario
Ontario's primary residential tenancy law. Most disputes are heard at the Landlord and Tenant Board, not in court. Standard Form of Lease is mandatory for most tenancies signed after April 30, 2018.
Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 17)
A landlord may collect a rent deposit (often last month's rent) of no more than 1 month's rent. Damage deposits and pet deposits are NOT permitted.
RTA s.105 — Rent deposit limit (RTA s.105)Landlord must pay annual interest on the rent deposit at the rent-increase guideline rate.
RTA s.106(6) — Interest on rent deposit (RTA s.106(6))
Most units occupied before Nov 15 2018 are subject to a provincial rent-increase guideline (e.g. 2.5% for 2024). Increases require 90 days' written notice on Form N1.
RTA s.120 — Annual rent-increase guideline (RTA s.120)
Landlord must give 90 days' written notice of a rent increase using the prescribed form, and may increase rent only once every 12 months.
RTA s.116 — 90-day notice of rent increase (RTA s.116)
Landlord must give 24 hours' written notice before entering, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., and only for specified reasons (repairs, showings, inspections).
RTA s.27 — Notice of entry (RTA s.27)
Landlord is responsible for providing and maintaining the rental unit in a good state of repair, fit for habitation, and complying with health, safety, housing, and maintenance standards.
RTA s.20 — Maintenance obligations (RTA s.20)
The LTB may refuse or delay an eviction even if the landlord proves grounds — for example where the landlord acted in bad faith or the tenant has been a long-standing renter.
RTA s.83 — Eviction relief (RTA s.83)
Things a lease can’t change.
- RTA s.14 — 'No pet' clauses in residential leases are void and unenforceable in Ontario (with limited safety exceptions).
- Units first occupied on or after Nov 15, 2018 are exempt from the rent-increase guideline (Schedule 1 of the RTA).
- A landlord may collect a refundable key deposit but cannot exceed the actual replacement cost.
- RTA s.108 — A landlord cannot require post-dated cheques or automatic payments as a condition of tenancy.
Where to escalate.
Informational, not legal advice. Statutes change — verify current text before relying on a citation.