If you are experiencing an issue with your landlord, these resources will give you the information and guidance you need to help resolve the situation.
U of T Downtown Legal Services
416-934-4535 | law.dls@utoronto.ca
Downtown Legal Services is both a community legal clinic and a clinical education program, operated by the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto. Their free services are provided by law students, who work under the close supervision of expert staff lawyers. Their services are available to low-income individuals living in Toronto, and to levy-paying students at the University of Toronto.
Services:
- Assists tenants in raising concerns, negotiating with landlords, and applying before the Landlord and Tenant Board and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
- Does not provide legal assistance to landlords or for tenant versus tenant disputes.
The Law Society Referral Service
The Law Society Referral Service is an online service that refers you to a lawyer in your area.
Toll-free crisis line: 1-855-947-5255
Toronto area crisis line: 416-947-5255
A lawyer in your area can give you a free consultation for up to 30 minutes. You can ask for a lawyer who speaks your language or a lawyer who accepts Legal Aid certificates. If you are unable to use the online service (i.e. you are in a shelter or remote community without access to internet), you can also call them on the crisis line. This line is available from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Services:
- rent disputes
- repair and maintenance issues
- harassment
- illegal charges
- eviction
- human Rights issues related to housing
- enforcement of compensatory housing orders in Small Claims Court
Other community legal clinics
Community legal clinics provide information, advice and representation on various legal issues, including housing and social assistance. Some legal clinics do not handle all of these issues, but staff may be able to refer you to someone who can help. Community legal clinics are staffed by lawyers, community legal workers and sometimes law students.
See a list of community legal clinics in your neighbourhood.
Tenant education, information and resources
Housing, University of Toronto
416-978-8045 | housing.services@utoronto.ca
Housing helps students navigate their options and assess which resources best suits their needs.
Federation of Metro Tenants’ Association
416-921-9494
The Federation of Metro Tenants’ Association is a non-profit organization that advocates for better rights for tenants by providing information and education.
Services: Free telephone counseling service for tenants in Toronto for questions related to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). Counselling includes information, referrals and workshops.
Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation
CERA is a not-for-profit charity that defends housing rights and human rights by educating individuals and communities, advancing progressive and inclusive housing law and policy, and providing legal information and services to marginalized Ontarians
Services:
- provides educational materials and programs to tenants, landlords, and service providers across Ontario
- offers direct services to tenants facing eviction or housing discrimination
St. Stephen’s Community House Mediation Services
416-925-2103 ext. 1229 | intake@sschto.ca
St. Stephen’s Community House mediation services help you change the way you communicate during conflict and provides a new approach to conflict resolution when in a disagreement with a neighbour, roommate, or family member.
Community Legal Education Ontario
CLEO provides clear, accurate and practical legal rights information to help people understand and exercise their legal rights.
Services:
- question and answer modules on housing legal problems
- extensive collection of legal information resources and publications available in a variety of languages
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Associated Services
