Landlord and tenant law in Ontario is not static. The government revisits it regularly, adjusting the balance between landlords and tenants and responding to housing pressures. That means anyone relying on the rules — on either side — needs to stay current, because a measure announced in a bill may change how tenancies work once it comes into force. A recent example is the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, 2023, commonly called Bill 97.
What Bill 97 introduced
Bill 97 brought in a range of measures affecting residential tenancies. Among the themes were:
- Higher maximum fines under the RTA for offences, increasing the potential consequences for serious breaches.
- Renoviction-related provisions, continuing the trend of tightening the rules around evictions for renovations and the landlord's own use.
- Tenant-related measures such as provisions touching on tenants' ability to use portable air conditioners, subject to conditions.
The gap between "passed" and "in force"
A crucial and often-missed point is that legislation being passed is not the same as it being in effect. Many provisions come into force only when proclaimed or when supporting regulations are made, and that can happen months or years later — or in stages. As a result, the practical effect of an announced change can lag well behind the headlines, and details are frequently filled in by regulation rather than the bill itself.
Why staying current matters
Because the law keeps moving, relying on a summary from a year or two ago is risky. New bills can be introduced, provisions can be proclaimed into force, and regulations can change the details of compensation, notice, or process. Both landlords and tenants benefit from checking the current state of the law before taking a step that depends on it — such as serving a notice, disputing one, or planning a renovation.
What to watch for
- Whether specific Bill 97 provisions have been proclaimed into force and what the supporting regulations say.
- Any newer bills that further amend the RTA after Bill 97.
- Changes to compensation, notice periods, fines, and renoviction rules, which have been active areas of reform.
General information only — verify which provisions are actually in force and check for newer legislation before relying on them.
This article is general information for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. For advice on your situation, book a consultation.