Most residential rentals in Ontario operate within a single legal framework: the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (the RTA), with disputes decided by a specialised tribunal, the Landlord and Tenant Board (the LTB). Together they set the ground rules for the relationship between landlords and tenants, and they replace the ordinary courts for most residential rental disputes. Knowing how they fit together helps both sides understand their rights and obligations.
What the RTA governs
The RTA is a comprehensive statute that covers the main features of a residential tenancy, including:
- Rent — how and when it can be increased, and the limits that apply.
- Maintenance and repairs — the landlord's obligation to keep the unit in a good state of repair and compliant with health and safety standards.
- Entry — when and how a landlord may enter a tenant's unit, generally with proper notice except in defined situations.
- Security of tenure — the principle that a tenant cannot be evicted except on the grounds and through the process the law allows.
- Ending a tenancy — the grounds, notices, and procedures required to end a tenancy lawfully.
The role of the LTB
The LTB is the tribunal that resolves disputes under the RTA — for example, applications to evict for non-payment of rent, tenant applications about maintenance or illegal entry, and disputes over rent. It operates less formally than a court, but it has real authority: only the LTB can order an eviction, and its decisions are binding and enforceable.
The Standard Form of Lease
Ontario requires most new residential tenancies to use the government's Standard Form of Lease, a plain-language template intended to make the key terms clear and consistent. If a landlord fails to provide it when required, the tenant may have specific remedies under the RTA.
Important exceptions
Not every living arrangement is covered by the RTA. Certain accommodations — for example, some situations where a tenant shares a kitchen or bathroom with the owner, and various other defined categories — may fall outside the RTA or be treated differently. Because the exceptions are specific, whether a particular arrangement is covered can itself be a legal question.
General information only. The RTA has exceptions, and whether it applies to a specific unit or arrangement depends on the facts.
This article is general information for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. For advice on your situation, book a consultation.