As a tenant in Ontario, Canada, you have rights and protections under the Residential Tenancies Act, which governs the landlord-tenant relationship in the province. Here are some key rights and responsibilities for tenants in Ontario:
Right to a Written Lease: Landlords are generally required to provide a written lease agreement for tenancies lasting one year or more. This lease should include important terms and conditions, such as rent amount, due dates, and rules.
Right to Privacy: Tenants have the right to reasonable privacy in their rental unit. Landlords must provide notice before entering the unit, except in emergency situations.
Rent Control: Rent increases for most residential properties in Ontario are subject to rent control guidelines. There are specific rules regarding when and how landlords can increase rent, and they must provide proper notice.
Maintenance and Repairs: Landlords are responsible for maintaining the rental property in a good state of repair. They must address and repair any major issues that affect the health or safety of the tenants. Tenants are responsible for day-to-day maintenance and keeping the unit clean.
Quiet Enjoyment: Tenants have the right to "quiet enjoyment" of their rental unit. This means that landlords cannot interfere with your reasonable enjoyment of the property, and other tenants must not disturb your peaceful enjoyment.
Harassment and Discrimination: Tenants have the right to be free from harassment and discrimination by landlords or other tenants based on protected grounds, such as race, gender, disability, or family status.
Notice of Termination: Both tenants and landlords have specific notice requirements when ending a tenancy. The notice period depends on the reason for termination, such as the end of the lease term, eviction for cause, or termination due to renovations.
Security Deposits: Landlords cannot charge more than one month's rent as a security deposit. They must return the deposit, with any accrued interest, within 10 days of the end of the tenancy.
Eviction Rules: Landlords can evict tenants for specific reasons, such as non-payment of rent, violating the terms of the lease, or engaging in illegal activities. However, landlords must follow the proper legal procedures for eviction.
Renting Without Discrimination: Landlords cannot refuse to rent to someone based on characteristics protected under the Human Rights Code, such as race, gender, or disability.
It's important to note that specific circumstances and details of your lease agreement can affect the application of these rights. If you have questions or encounter issues, you may seek advice from the Landlord and Tenant lawyer Board (LTB) or consult with a legal professional. Additionally, the Residential Tenancies Act and its regulations are subject to updates, so it's advisable to check for the latest information.
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