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Tenant rights in Canada
Canadian tenant rights are governed by provincial legislation. Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act is one of the strongest in the world — here's what tenants across Canada should know.
Eviction rights
- ✓Your landlord cannot evict you without going through the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) or equivalent provincial authority.
- ✓Self-help eviction — changing locks, removing belongings — is illegal and a serious offence.
- ✓Common grounds for eviction include non-payment of rent, causing damage, and landlord moving in.
- ✓You have the right to a hearing before the LTB to dispute an eviction notice.
- ✓Even after a Board order, only a Sheriff can physically enforce an eviction.
Rent deposit
- ✓In Ontario, landlords can only collect a last month's rent deposit — no additional security deposit.
- ✓Your deposit must earn interest at the annual Ontario rent guideline rate.
- ✓The deposit must be applied to your last month's rent, not used for damages.
Rent increases
- ✓Rent can only be increased once per year with 90 days written notice.
- ✓The increase must comply with the provincial rent increase guideline (issued annually).
- ✓Increases above the guideline require a Board order.
- ✓Rent cannot be increased during a fixed-term lease.
Repairs
- ✓Landlords must maintain properties in a good state of repair and comply with health, safety, and housing standards.
- ✓You can file a T6 application with the LTB for a rent abatement if repairs are not done.
- ✓Do not withhold rent without proper Board approval — this can lead to eviction.
Landlord entry
- ✓Landlords must give 24 hours written notice before entering, specifying the reason.
- ✓Entry must be between 8am and 8pm.
- ✓Emergencies allow entry without notice.
Where to get help in Canada
Ontario's tribunal for resolving tenancy disputes
Community Legal Aid Clinics
Free legal help for low-income tenants across Canada
CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario)
Plain-language guides to tenant rights in Ontario
Provincial Tenancy Authority
Each province has its own equivalent to the LTB
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⚠️ This guide provides general information only and is not legal advice. Laws change and vary by region. For serious disputes, consult a qualified solicitor, lawyer, or tenants union in Canada.