What Ontario tenants are actually entitled to

Renting in Ontario comes with a set of rights that many tenants never read in full. Most people sign a lease, move in, and only look up the rules when something goes wrong: a broken furnace, a surprise rent increase, or a landlord who lets themselves in.

This is a plain guide to what the law actually gives you. It is written for tenants, but it is just as useful for landlords and property managers who want to stay on the right side of the rules.

What are tenant rights in Ontario, in one paragraph?

The sections below break down the rights that come up most often, with the official Ontario sources linked so you can read the detail yourself.

What am I entitled to when it comes to repairs and services?

Your landlord is legally responsible for keeping your unit and the building in a good state of repair.

Under the Residential Tenancies Act, a landlord must maintain the rental property and comply with health, safety, housing, and maintenance standards. This applies even if you knew about a problem before you moved in, and even if the lease tries to shift the responsibility onto you.

• Vital services. You are entitled to vital services such as heat, hot and cold water, electricity, and fuel where the landlord is responsible for supplying them. A landlord cannot cut these off to pressure a tenant.
• General repairs. Broken appliances that came with the unit, plumbing issues, pests, and structural problems are the landlord's responsibility to address.
• Reporting problems. Put repair requests in writing and keep a copy. A clear record helps if the issue ever reaches the Landlord and Tenant Board.

How much notice does my landlord need before entering?

In most cases, your landlord must give you at least 24 hours written notice before entering your unit.

That notice has to say why they are entering, and the entry can only happen between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. There are exceptions. A landlord can enter without notice in an emergency, if you agree to the entry at the time, or in certain situations set out in the Act.

• Written notice. The 24 hour notice should state the reason and a reasonable time of entry.
• Time window. Routine entry with notice is limited to between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
• Your privacy. Outside of the allowed reasons, your unit is yours. A landlord does not have an open door to come and go.

How and when can my rent go up?

Rent can generally only be increased once every 12 months, with at least 90 days written notice.

For many units, increases are also tied to the annual rent increase guideline set by the province. The notice must be on the correct form, and it cannot arrive earlier than the rules allow. If a landlord tries to raise the rent more often than once a year, or without proper notice, that increase can be challenged.

The numbers above are illustrative only. Check the current provincial guideline and your own lease before assuming any figure applies to you.

What protects me from being evicted unfairly?

A landlord cannot simply decide to remove you. Evictions in Ontario have to follow the process in the Residential Tenancies Act.

Only the Landlord and Tenant Board can order an eviction, and only after proper notice and a hearing where you can respond. A landlord cannot lock you out, remove your belongings, or force you to leave on their own. Certain reasons for eviction, such as a landlord needing the unit for their own family, come with their own specific rules and compensation requirements.

• Proper notice. Eviction starts with a written notice that states a valid reason and the required timeline.
• Your right to respond. You do not have to move out just because you received a notice. You can dispute it at a Board hearing.
• No self-help evictions. Changing locks or shutting off services to force a tenant out is not allowed.

Frequently asked

Can my landlord enter my unit whenever they want?

No. In most cases a landlord must give you written notice at least 24 hours before entering, and can only enter between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. There are limited exceptions, such as an emergency or when you agree to the entry.

How often can my rent go up in Ontario?

Rent can generally only be increased once every 12 months, and your landlord must give you at least 90 days written notice on the proper form. Many units are also covered by the annual rent increase guideline set by the province.

What can I do if my landlord will not make repairs?

Your landlord is responsible for keeping the unit in a good state of repair and complying with health and safety standards. If they do not, you can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board, which can order repairs or other remedies.