Ontario remains one of the most regulated places when it comes to the landlord-tenant relationship. The Residential Tenancy Act covers most people living in rental properties in the province and their landlords. As a tenant, you have rights as well as responsibilities, and it is very essential that you know the necessary things that will help you enjoy your tenancy. Here are six important things you should know as a tenant, about the landlord and tenant act in Ontario.
There Are Few Reasons Why a Landlord Can Refuse a Tenant
A landlord cannot refuse you tenancy due to such factors as race, place of origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, receipt of public assistance, handicap, or other such factors. But for reasons such as rental history, income information, credit checks, credit references and guarantees, a landlord may refuse to accept you as a tenant.
You Are Expected To Pay Your Rent As At When Due and Shouldn’t Withhold For Any Reason
As a tenant, it is expected that you pay your rent as at when due no matter the state of your relationship with your landlord. As long as you are still resident in the property, you have to fulfill your rental obligations and take any grievance to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB).
You Are Responsible For Keeping Your Unit Clean and Will Also Pay for the Damages You Cause
While it is the responsibility of your landlord to maintain the property and carry out necessary repairs, you are expected to keep your unit clean. If you or your guest cause any reasonable damage to the property, you are expected to repair or pay for the repair of such damage.
You Are Entitled To Your Privacy
You are entitled to your privacy as a tenant. The landlord has the right to enter your house, but it must be for a valid reason. It is also expected that the landlord writes to inform you about the visit 24 hours in advance.
Your Landlord Can Raise Rent Only Once In 12 Months
When it comes to rent increment, your landlord has the right to do this only once in 12 months. The rate of increment is, however, not expected to exceed 1.8% unless there has been some significant improvement or a notable increase in taxes. The landlord is also likely to give you a 90-days written notice before the raise comes into effect.
Only the Sheriff Can Evict You
It is only a sheriff that can evict you. This will only happen when your landlord has served you a notice to terminate the tenancy based on valid reasons. The landlord also needs to apply to the LTB for an order to evict you. You also have the right to appeal, but once the reasons are valid, you will have to leave the unit.
With a good understanding of your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, about the landlord and tenant act in Ontario, you will be able to live in the province as a tenant without any significant problem.
For more information about the landlord and tenant act in Ontario or if you need expert representation in your Landlord & Tenant case, contact us today at Civil Litigations Paralegal Services. We are always ready to help. You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MariaDB server version for the right syntax to use near ‘AND ba.deleted != 1 AND bb.deleted != 1’ at line 1
