Know Your Tenant Rights
Shareable rights cards covering rent increases, eviction protections, maintenance obligations, privacy, and more under Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act.
Your Tenant Rights
Know your legal protections under Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act
Rent Increase Limits
RTA Sections 116, 119-120
Landlords can only increase rent once every 12 months, with at least 90 days' written notice, and only by the amount allowed by Ontario's guideline. The 2026 guideline is 2.1% (2025 was 2.5%). Increases above the guideline require LTB approval under section 126.
Why it matters: Without these limits, landlords could raise rent dramatically, making housing unaffordable for tenants.
Rent Deposit Rules
RTA Sections 105-106
In Ontario, the only deposit a landlord can collect is a rent deposit of at most one rental period's rent, and it can only be applied to the last period of the tenancy. Damage deposits are not permitted, the deposit cannot be used for damage or other charges, and interest must be paid on it annually.
Why it matters: Proper deposit handling protects tenants from losing their money and prevents landlords from collecting deposits the law does not allow.
Right to Rent Receipts
RTA Section 106
Landlords must provide a receipt every time you pay rent. The receipt must include your name, the property address, the period it covers, and the amount paid.
Why it matters: Receipts protect you by creating a clear payment record and preventing disputes about whether rent was paid.
N4 Notice Requirements
RTA Section 59
Before evicting for non-payment of rent, landlords must give you an N4 notice with at least 14 days to pay. The notice must include the exact amount owed and the address of the LTB.
Why it matters: This notice requirement gives you time to pay and protects you from sudden eviction.
N12 Notice (Landlord's Own Use)
RTA Section 48
Landlords can only give an N12 notice if they or a family member genuinely intend to move into the unit. The notice must be at least 60 days before the lease ends, and the landlord must actually move in.
Why it matters: This protection prevents landlords from falsely claiming they need the unit to force you out for a higher rent.
Bad Faith Eviction Protection
RTA Sections 48, 57
If a landlord gives an N12 notice but doesn't actually move in, or gives it in bad faith, you can file at the LTB. Bad faith includes giving the notice to raise rent, renovate, or force tenant turnover.
Why it matters: This rule prevents landlords from using eviction as a tool to displace existing tenants and rent at market rates.
Right to Return After Renovation
RTA Sections 53-54
If your tenancy is terminated for major repairs or renovations, you can claim a right of first refusal to re-occupy the unit once work is complete, at a rent the landlord could have lawfully charged if the tenancy had not been interrupted.
Why it matters: This protects you from permanent displacement when your unit is renovated.
Vital Services Must Work
RTA Sections 20-21
Landlords must keep the unit in a good state of repair and cannot withhold or interfere with vital services such as heat, water, electricity, and fuel. Municipal bylaws set minimum heat requirements. If these fail, tenants can apply to the LTB for remedies including a rent abatement.
Why it matters: Safe housing requires working utilities. Without these services, your health and safety are at risk.
Repair Obligations
RTA Section 20
The RTA does not set fixed repair deadlines, but landlords must complete repairs within a reasonable time given how urgent the problem is - urgent issues like no heat or no water are expected to be addressed much faster than cosmetic ones. Putting repair requests in writing creates the record the LTB looks for.
Why it matters: Knowing the standard is reasonableness, documented in writing, helps tenants hold landlords to it instead of waiting indefinitely.
Rent Abatement for Maintenance Issues
RTA Sections 29-30
If your landlord doesn't maintain vital services or required conditions, you can apply to the LTB for a rent reduction. The amount depends on what's broken and how long it's been broken.
Why it matters: Rent reduction incentivizes landlords to make repairs quickly rather than ignore maintenance issues.
24 Hour Entry Notice
RTA Sections 26-27
Landlords must give you at least 24 hours' written notice before entering your unit. They can only enter for legitimate reasons like repairs, inspections, showing the unit to prospective tenants, or emergencies.
Why it matters: This protects your right to privacy and prevents landlords from entering whenever they want.
Lock and Key Rules
RTA Sections 24, 35
A landlord cannot change the locks while you live there without giving you replacement keys. The same rule works both ways: a tenant may not change the locks without the landlord's consent. If you are locked out illegally, the LTB can order the landlord to let you back in.
Why it matters: Lock rules protect tenants from illegal lockouts while keeping lawful emergency access intact.
Protection Against Harassment
RTA Sections 22-23
Landlords cannot harass you through conduct, language, or actions. Harassment includes threatening to evict you without legal cause, threatening to call authorities falsely, or abusing your privacy rights.
Why it matters: Harassment protections prevent landlords from bullying tenants into leaving or accepting unfair conditions.
Right to File at the LTB
RTA Section 29
Tenants have the right to file applications at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) for disputes about maintenance, harassment, illegal charges, evictions, and rent reductions. You can file online or in person.
Why it matters: The LTB is your legal avenue to challenge unfair treatment and enforce your rights.
Fee Waiver Option
RTA Rules of Procedure
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can request a fee waiver based on financial hardship. The LTB will consider your circumstances and may waive or reduce the fee.
Why it matters: Fee waivers ensure that low-income tenants can access justice even if they cannot afford court fees.
Right to Adjournments
RTA Rules of Procedure
You have the right to request an adjournment (delay) of your hearing if you need more time to prepare. The LTB can grant adjournments if there is a good reason and it won't cause undue delay.
Why it matters: Adjournments give you time to gather evidence, find legal help, or prepare your case properly.
Last Month's Rent Clarity
RTA Section 106
Money collected for 'last month's rent' must be held in trust and applied to your final month's occupancy. It cannot be used for damage, utilities, or other charges. It must be returned with interest if you don't use it.
Why it matters: Clear rules prevent landlords from misusing money you've already paid.
Key Deposit Limits
RTA Section 134, O. Reg. 516/06
Non-refundable key charges are illegal. A landlord may only collect a refundable key deposit that does not exceed the actual replacement cost. Anything beyond that is an illegal charge you can challenge at the LTB.
Why it matters: This prevents landlords from charging extra fees disguised as security for keys.
Illegal Charges Protection
RTA Section 134
Landlords cannot charge for keys, air conditioning, parking passes, locks, furniture, or utilities unless explicitly included in the lease. Illegal charges can be challenged at the LTB.
Why it matters: This prevents landlords from adding hidden fees and charges that inflate your rent.