Tenant Protection Act
The Tenant Protection Act http://www.ontariotenants.ca/research/tenant-protection-act.phtml an administrative body created to mediate and rule on disputes and issues raised by landlords and tenants.
Basic information
1. Rent for a new tenant:
- The landlord and the new tenant agree at the START of the arrangement how much the rent will be for the unit, and which services will be included with that rent.
- The rent FIRST charged to a new tenant cannot be increased for at least 12 months
- A landlord can collect a deposit from a new tenant. It cannot be more than one month’s rent.
- The deposit can only be used as the rent payment for the last month the tenant lives in the unit. It can not be used for any other reason like cleaning or repairing the unit.
- A landlord must pay the tenant 6% interest on the deposit EVERY YEAR.
- If this doesn’t happen, the tenant can deduct 6% from the rent cheque in the first month of the next year.
- Rent receipts must be provided if the tenant asks for one. The landlord cannot charge a fee for giving a receipt
- Rent can be increased after 12 months of tenancy, the increasing rate is announced by establishes the Landlord and Tenant Board http://www.ltb.gov.on.ca/ on 31 August every year. The landlord must give at least 90 days notice in writing of any rent increase.
2. A tenant can apply to the Tribunal to have the rent reduced if
- The landlord did not keep a promise
- Municipal taxes or charges on the rental property have decreased
- The landlord reduced or removed a service to the tenant
3. Tenant’s obligations
- Tenant has to keep the unit clean to a reasonable standard of cleanliness
- A tenant is responsible for damage to the property caused by the tenant or any guest (accidental or deliberate)
- A tenant should not hold back any part of the rent if they feel maintenance is inadequate- he or she may face eviction. The tenant CAN apply to the Tribunal for a rent rebate for this reason.
4. Landlord’s obligations
- The landlord must keep the rental property in a good state of repair
- If something does not work because of normal wear and tear, the landlord must fix or replace it.
- The landlord must obey all health, safety and maintenance standards
