Ontario has some of the most detailed tenant protection legislation in North America. The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) sets out the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants across most residential rental units in the province, and the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is the tribunal that resolves disputes between them.
Despite these protections, many renters in Ontario are not aware of their rights. Some are afraid to assert them. Others face landlords who count on tenants not knowing the rules. And for the hundreds of thousands of renters in the Greater Toronto Area whose first language is not English, the complexity of the legal process can feel like an additional barrier.
This guide explains tenant rights in Ontario in plain language, covering rent increases, maintenance, evictions, the LTB process, and how renters in multilingual communities across the GTA can find legal help in their own language.
Who Is Protected by Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act
The Residential Tenancies Act applies to most residential rental units in Ontario, including apartments, houses, condominiums, and secondary suites. However, there are several types of rental arrangements that are exempt from the RTA or subject to limited protections. Understanding whether your rental is covered is the first step.
Units Covered by the RTA
- Apartments in purpose-built rental buildings
- Houses, townhouses, and semi-detached homes rented to a tenant
- Condominiums rented by the owner to a tenant
- Basement apartments and secondary suites
- Rooming houses and boarding houses (with some conditions)
Units Exempt or Partially Exempt From the RTA
- Units where the tenant shares a kitchen or bathroom with the owner (owner-occupied shared accommodation)
- Transitional housing, emergency shelters, and care homes in some circumstances
- Most student residence units operated by a post-secondary institution
- Commercial premises (the RTA covers residential units only)
If you are unsure whether your unit is covered, Tenant Duty Counsel services are available at the LTB to provide free legal advice before hearings. Legal Aid Ontario also operates free legal clinics in communities across the GTA.
Your Lease: What Ontario Law Requires
Since April 30, 2018, all new residential tenancy agreements in Ontario must use the standard lease form prescribed by the province. The standard lease sets out the basic terms of the tenancy, including the rent amount, the address of the unit, which utilities and services are included, and any additional terms agreed upon by the parties.
Your Right to a Standard Lease
If your landlord has not provided you with a signed standard lease within 21 days of you requesting one in writing, you have the right to withhold one month’s rent. If the landlord still does not provide the lease within another 30 days, you are entitled to keep that withheld rent. This is a right established directly by the RTA, and it applies even if you have a written agreement of a different kind.
Month-to-Month Tenancies
In Ontario, once a fixed-term lease expires, it does not end automatically. The tenancy converts to a month-to-month arrangement on the same terms, including the same rent. Your landlord cannot require you to sign a new lease when your existing one expires. You have the right to continue renting on a month-to-month basis with no change to your rights or obligations.
What Your Landlord Cannot Include in a Lease
Lease terms that conflict with the RTA are void and unenforceable, even if you signed the lease. Common examples of illegal lease clauses include:
- A requirement to pay more than one month’s rent as a deposit (only a last month’s rent deposit is permitted)
- A clause prohibiting pets (landlords can refuse to rent to pet owners, but once a tenancy has begun, a no-pets clause cannot be enforced except in condominiums with specific condo corporation rules)
- A clause waiving the tenant’s rights under the RTA
- A requirement to pay a damage deposit separate from the last month’s rent deposit
Rent Increases: What Your Landlord Can and Cannot Do
Rent control is one of the most important and most misunderstood areas of Ontario tenant law. The rules changed significantly in 2018, and many tenants do not know which rules apply to their unit.
Rent Control: The Pre- and Post-November 2018 Divide
Ontario’s rent control rules depend on when the unit was first occupied for residential purposes, not when you moved in.
| Unit First Occupied | Rent Control Status |
| Before November 15, 2018 | Rent-controlled. Annual increases are capped at the provincial Rent Increase Guideline. |
| On or after November 15, 2018 | Not rent-controlled. Landlord may increase rent by any amount with proper notice. |
The 2026 Rent Increase Guideline is 2.5%. For rent-controlled units, your landlord cannot increase your rent by more than this amount without applying to the LTB for an above-guideline increase.
Notice Requirements for All Rent Increases
Regardless of whether your unit is rent-controlled, your landlord must give you a minimum of 90 days written notice before any rent increase takes effect. The notice must be in writing, state the new rent amount, and state the date the increase takes effect. An increase given without proper notice is not valid. You are also entitled to only one rent increase per 12-month period.
Above-Guideline Increases
A landlord of a rent-controlled unit can apply to the LTB for permission to raise rent above the guideline if they have made significant capital expenditures (such as major repairs or renovations) or if their operating costs have increased significantly. If the LTB grants an above-guideline increase, it is added on top of the annual guideline increase. Tenants are notified and have the right to participate in the LTB hearing.
Last Month’s Rent Deposit
A landlord can only collect one type of deposit in Ontario: a last month’s rent deposit, collected at the beginning of the tenancy. This deposit must be applied to the last month of the tenancy. It cannot be used as a damage deposit. Each year, the landlord must pay you interest on the deposit equal to the Rent Increase Guideline percentage for that year. If they do not, they owe you the difference when the tenancy ends.
Repairs and Maintenance: Your Landlord’s Obligations
Under the RTA, every landlord has a legal obligation to maintain their rental unit and the property in a good state of repair and fit for habitation. This obligation exists regardless of what your lease says, and regardless of the rent you pay.
What Your Landlord Must Maintain
- Heating: landlords must maintain indoor temperatures of at least 20 degrees Celsius from September 1 to June 15 (municipalities may require higher minimums)
- Plumbing and water: working hot and cold running water at all times
- Electrical systems: functional and safe electrical wiring and outlets
- Structural safety: sound walls, ceilings, floors, roofs, and foundations
- Pest and rodent control: the landlord is responsible for addressing infestations
- Common areas: hallways, stairwells, laundry rooms, and parking areas in a safe and clean condition
How to Request Repairs
Always submit repair requests in writing, whether by email, text message, or a written letter. A written record is essential if the dispute ends up before the LTB. Keep copies of everything you send and receive. If your landlord does not address a significant repair within a reasonable time, you can file a T6 application with the LTB (Tenant Application About Maintenance).
Rent Withholding and Rent Abatement
Tenants in Ontario generally do not have the right to simply stop paying rent because of a maintenance issue. However, if the LTB finds that a landlord has failed to maintain the unit, it can order a rent abatement, meaning a reduction of rent for the period during which the unit was not properly maintained. In serious cases, the LTB can order the landlord to carry out repairs, pay damages, or reduce the rent permanently. If your unit becomes completely uninhabitable, you may have the right to terminate the tenancy early. A tenant rights lawyer can advise you on whether your circumstances meet this threshold.
Evictions in Ontario: When Your Landlord Can Ask You to Leave
This is the area of tenant law where knowing your rights matters most. In Ontario, a landlord cannot simply ask you to leave. The process for ending a tenancy is strictly governed by the RTA, and a landlord who does not follow the correct process cannot legally evict you.
Your landlord cannot do any of the following:
- Change the locks without going through the LTB process
- Remove your belongings from the unit
- Shut off utilities to pressure you to leave
- Harass or threaten you to get you to vacate
- Enter your unit without proper notice (24 hours written notice is required for most entries)
Any of these actions may constitute an illegal lockout or harassment under the RTA, and tenants can apply to the LTB for a remedy and damages.
Valid Grounds for Eviction
A landlord can only seek to evict a tenant for specific reasons set out in the RTA. The most common grounds are:
- Non-payment of rent: The landlord serves an N4 Notice to End a Tenancy Early for Non-Payment of Rent. The tenant has 14 days (or 7 days for daily or weekly tenancies) to pay all rent owed. If the tenant pays, the notice is void.
- Persistent late payment: The landlord serves an N8 notice where the tenant repeatedly pays rent late, even if the rent is eventually paid.
- Damage to the unit: The landlord serves an N5 notice where the tenant has caused undue damage. The tenant has 7 days to repair the damage or pay the cost.
- Interference with the landlord or other tenants: An N5 notice can also be issued for substantial interference with the reasonable enjoyment of others.
- Illegal activity: An N6 notice can be issued for illegal activity in the unit.
- Owner’s own use: An N12 notice where the landlord or a close family member genuinely needs to move into the unit. Compensation of one month’s rent is required, and the landlord must actually use the unit for the stated purpose.
- Demolition or major renovation: An N13 notice where the landlord has permits to demolish or extensively renovate the unit. Significant tenant rights apply, including the right of first refusal to return to the unit.
The LTB Hearing Process
After serving a notice of termination that the tenant does not comply with, the landlord must apply to the LTB for an eviction order. The LTB schedules a hearing at which both the landlord and the tenant have the opportunity to present their case. You will receive a Notice of Hearing from the LTB, and you should attend. Tenants who do not appear at a hearing risk an order being made against them without hearing their side.
At the hearing, you can present evidence, call witnesses, and make arguments. You can also be represented by a lawyer or a licensed paralegal. If English is not your first language, you can request an interpreter through the LTB.
Eviction for Owner’s Own Use: What You Need to Know
The N12 eviction for owner’s own use is one of the most commonly misused eviction grounds in Ontario. The landlord must compensate the tenant with one month’s free rent before the termination date. After an N12 eviction, if the landlord does not move in or rents the unit to someone else within a reasonable period, the former tenant can apply to the LTB for compensation of up to 12 months’ rent and other remedies. If you have received an N12 notice and you believe the landlord does not genuinely intend to use the unit personally, you should seek legal advice immediately. A tenant rights lawyer can help you challenge the eviction at the LTB.
Privacy and Your Landlord’s Right of Entry
Your rental unit is your home, and you have a right to privacy in it. Your landlord cannot enter your unit without your permission except in specific circumstances defined by the RTA.
| Reason for Entry | Notice Required |
| To make repairs or carry out maintenance | 24 hours written notice; entry between 8am and 8pm |
| To show the unit to prospective tenants or buyers | 24 hours written notice; entry between 8am and 8pm |
| Routine inspection (limited circumstances) | 24 hours written notice; entry between 8am and 8pm |
| Emergency (fire, flood, significant damage) | No notice required |
| Tenant has given consent | No notice required |
If your landlord is entering your unit without proper notice and without a valid reason, this may constitute harassment under the RTA. You can file a T2 application (Tenant Application About Landlord Rights, Privileges or Interests) with the LTB. Consistent and repeated unauthorized entry can result in damages being awarded against the landlord.
Discrimination in Housing: The Human Rights Code
In addition to protections under the RTA, Ontario renters are protected from discrimination under the Ontario Human Rights Code. A landlord cannot refuse to rent to you, impose different terms, or harass you because of your:
| Protected Ground | Protected Ground |
| Race or colour | Disability |
| Ancestry or place of origin | Sexual orientation or gender identity |
| Ethnic origin | Marital or family status |
| Citizenship or immigration status | Receipt of public assistance (social assistance) |
| Religion or creed | Age |
The protection against discrimination based on the receipt of public assistance is particularly important for GTA tenants who receive Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program payments. A landlord who refuses to rent to you or treats you differently because you receive social assistance is violating the Human Rights Code. Complaints about housing discrimination can be filed with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. A human rights lawyer or tenant rights lawyer can advise you on your options.
The Landlord and Tenant Board: How It Works
The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is the tribunal that resolves disputes between landlords and tenants under the RTA. Both landlords and tenants can apply to the LTB for a variety of orders.
Common Tenant Applications
| Application Form | What It Is For |
| T1 | Recovering money the landlord owes you (illegal charges, failure to pay interest on deposit, etc.) |
| T2 | Landlord’s interference with your rights (unauthorized entry, harassment, illegal lockout) |
| T3 | Reducing rent where services have been cut or withheld |
| T5 | Where the landlord gave an N12 or N13 notice in bad faith |
| T6 | Maintenance issues and failure to repair |
LTB Hearings
LTB hearings are currently conducted via video conference for most matters, with some in-person hearings available. You do not need a lawyer to appear at the LTB. However, having a lawyer or licensed paralegal represent you significantly improves your chances of a favourable outcome, particularly in contested eviction proceedings or above-guideline increase hearings. If you cannot afford legal representation, Tenant Duty Counsel is available at LTB hearings to provide free summary legal advice to tenants. Legal Aid Ontario may also fund representation for qualifying tenants.
Tenant Rights for Newcomers and Multilingual Renters in the GTA
The GTA has one of the most diverse rental populations in North America. For newcomers and renters whose first language is not English, navigating the rental market and asserting your legal rights can carry extra challenges.
Your Rights Are the Same Regardless of Immigration Status
The Residential Tenancies Act protects all tenants in covered units regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. A landlord cannot threaten to report you to immigration authorities or use your status as leverage in a dispute. If a landlord does this, it may constitute harassment under the RTA and a potential violation of the Human Rights Code. You should document the threat and seek legal advice immediately.
Language Rights at the LTB
The Landlord and Tenant Board can accommodate tenants who are not fluent in English. You can request an interpreter for your hearing through the LTB. Request this as early as possible after receiving your hearing notice, as interpreter availability can affect scheduling. You are also permitted to bring your own interpreter, though the LTB’s interpreter is preferable because they are bound by confidentiality and procedural rules.
Why a Bilingual Tenant Rights Lawyer Matters
Tenant rights proceedings at the LTB involve presenting evidence, making legal arguments, and cross-examining witnesses. The rules of procedure, while more informal than a court, still require you to understand what is happening and to communicate your position clearly and precisely. Doing this in your second language under the stress of a hearing is genuinely difficult.
A lawyer who speaks your language can explain your rights fully in the language you think in, help you prepare your evidence in the most effective way, and represent you at the hearing with the command of the facts that comes from truly understanding your situation. For GTA renters who speak Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, Hindi, Spanish, Tamil, Tagalog, Farsi, or any of the dozens of languages represented in the city, this is not a secondary consideration. Lawyers Who Speak connects GTA tenants with verified, Law Society of Ontario-licensed lawyers who speak their language. Search by language and practice area to find a qualified lawyer near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord raise my rent by any amount in Ontario?
It depends on when your unit was first occupied. If it was first occupied for residential purposes before November 15, 2018, your unit is rent-controlled and annual increases are capped at the provincial Rent Increase Guideline (2.5% in 2026). If it was first occupied on or after November 15, 2018, there is no rent control and your landlord can raise the rent by any amount, as long as they give you 90 days’ written notice. Regardless of rent control status, your landlord can only raise the rent once every 12 months.
My landlord says I have to leave by the end of the month. Do I have to go?
Almost certainly not. In Ontario, a landlord cannot verbally tell you to leave and expect you to go. They must follow a strict legal process: first serving you with a valid written notice of termination on the proper LTB form, and then, if you do not vacate or remedy the situation, applying to the LTB for an eviction order. Only after the LTB issues an eviction order can a landlord legally require you to leave, and only the Sheriff can physically enforce that order. If your landlord is pressuring you to leave without following this process, you should seek legal advice immediately.
My landlord is not fixing a serious problem in my unit. What can I do?
Start by putting your repair request in writing and keeping a copy. If the landlord does not respond within a reasonable time, you can file a T6 application with the LTB for failure to maintain. The LTB can order the landlord to carry out the repairs, pay you compensation for the period during which the unit was not properly maintained (a rent abatement), and in some cases reduce your rent going forward. If the issue involves a health or safety hazard, you can also contact your local municipal property standards office, which has independent authority to order landlords to carry out repairs.
Can my landlord enter my apartment without telling me?
For most purposes, no. Your landlord must give you at least 24 hours written notice before entering your unit, and may only enter between 8am and 8pm. The only exception is a genuine emergency, such as a fire, flood, or serious risk to someone’s safety, in which case the landlord may enter without notice. If your landlord is entering your unit without proper notice and without an emergency justification, this is an interference with your privacy rights under the RTA, and you can file a T2 application with the LTB.
What is the difference between a paralegal and a lawyer for LTB matters?
Both lawyers and licensed paralegals are regulated by the Law Society of Ontario and can represent you at LTB hearings. Paralegals are specifically licensed to appear at the LTB and other administrative tribunals, and many specialize in tenant and landlord matters. For LTB proceedings, a paralegal with specific landlord-tenant experience can be an effective and often more affordable option than a lawyer. For matters that involve significant amounts of money, complex human rights claims, or issues that may need to be appealed to Divisional Court, a lawyer is generally preferable. Lawyers Who Speak can connect you with both lawyers and legal professionals in your language.
Find a Tenant Rights Lawyer in the GTA Who Speaks Your Language
If you are facing an eviction, a rent increase dispute, a maintenance problem your landlord is ignoring, or any other issue with your rental housing in Ontario, you have legal rights and you have options. A tenant rights lawyer who speaks your language can explain those rights clearly and help you use them effectively.
Lawyers Who Speak connects GTA renters with verified, Law Society of Ontario-licensed lawyers who speak their language. Search by language and practice area to find a qualified lawyer near you.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights situations are fact-specific and the law can change. If you have questions about your rights as a tenant in Ontario, please consult a qualified lawyer or licensed paralegal in Ontario for advice specific to your situation.
