Tenant rights

As a tenant in Ontario, you have legal rights that protect you before and after you move into your unit. Learn more about your rights as a tenant, and find help if you need it.

Residential Tenancies Act

The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) sets the rules for rent increases, evictions, repairs and all other issues that affect tenants in Ontario. Visit the Landlord and Tenant Board website at www.ltb.gov.on.ca to familiarize yourself with the RTA.

City of Toronto bylaws

The City of Toronto has many bylaws (e.g. parking, noise, litter) that directly affect the residents of a neighbourhood. You can search through all of the City’s bylaws and read the City bylaw FAQ. You are responsible for knowing and abiding by the City’s bylaws.

Ontario Human Rights Code

International law says that everyone should be able to have adequate housing that they can afford. To help achieve this in Ontario, tenants and landlords (or housing providers) have rights and responsibilities under the provincial Human Rights Code. As a tenant, you have the right to fair treatment in housing without discrimination and harassment.

Read the Human Rights for Tenants Brochure for more information, or check out the complete Ontario Human Rights Code.

Need legal help or advice?

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.

416-934-4535 | law.dls@utoronto.ca

The Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations’ Tenant Hotline is a free telephone counseling service for tenants in Toronto. Hotline Counsellors offer information about tenants’ rights to any tenant who calls. If you do not feel comfortable speaking English, they can provide services in 150 languages through a telephone interpreting service. Counsellors will provide referrals to community or city agencies or legal clinics, or direct you to other necessary resources. They can also mail, fax, or email you information relevant to your situation.

416-921-9494 | hotline@torontotenants.org