If you are renting in Ontario, you have more legal protection than you might think.

Many tenants accept rent increases they do not have to accept, move out after receiving a notice they do not have to obey, or endure maintenance problems they have the right to have fixed. Ontario’s rental laws exist to protect renters — but they only work if you know what they say.

This guide covers the fundamentals of tenant rights in Ontario: what law applies to most renters, what your landlord can and cannot do, and what to do if your rights are being ignored.

What Law Governs Residential Tenancies in Ontario?

Most private residential rentals in Ontario are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA). The RTA covers the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants, sets out the rules for rent increases, repairs, entry, and eviction, and establishes the Landlord and Tenant Board as the body that resolves most residential tenancy disputes.

The RTA applies to most apartments, houses, basement apartments, and condo units rented for residential purposes.

It does not apply to every living arrangement. Common exceptions include certain social housing, living arrangements where you share a kitchen or bathroom with the owner of the home, most university residences, and certain commercial or vacation rentals. If you are unsure whether the RTA covers your situation, it is worth getting advice before assuming it does or does not.

The Ontario government’s Renting in Ontario: Your Rights page is a useful starting point for understanding what the Act covers.

What Is the Landlord and Tenant Board?

The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is an Ontario tribunal that hears applications from landlords and tenants under the RTA. It is where most residential tenancy disputes are resolved — not in the regular court system.

Both landlords and tenants can bring applications to the LTB. Landlords apply to evict tenants or collect arrears. Tenants apply for rent reductions, compensation for maintenance failures, and orders to stop landlord harassment or illegal entry.

Understanding that the LTB exists — and that it gives tenants a formal way to assert their rights — is one of the most important things any Ontario renter can know. Many disputes that feel impossible to resolve have a clear legal remedy through this process.

Who Is Protected by Ontario Rental Rules?

If your rental unit is covered by the RTA, you have a broad set of legal protections regardless of what your lease says. A landlord cannot contract out of the RTA — meaning a clause in a lease that gives the landlord rights the RTA does not permit, or removes rights the RTA guarantees, is generally unenforceable.

Your rights apply whether your tenancy is:

Month-to-month

Fixed-term (one year, two years, etc.)

Verbal or written

A fixed-term lease ending does not mean you must leave. Once a fixed-term tenancy ends and you remain in the unit, it generally converts automatically to a month-to-month tenancy under the same terms. Your landlord cannot simply refuse to renew and tell you to leave — they still need a valid legal reason and an LTB order to end the tenancy.

Your Rights Around Rent Increases

When can a landlord raise the rent?

For most units covered by the RTA’s rent control provisions, a landlord can raise the rent no more than once every 12 months, and only up to the province’s annual rent increase guideline.

For 2026, the Ontario rent increase guideline is 2.1 percent. The Ontario government publishes this guideline each year. You can find the current and historical figures on the Ontario rent increase guideline page.

What about units first occupied after November 15, 2018?

Residential units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018 are generally exempt from the guideline cap on the amount of the increase. This means a landlord can technically propose a rent increase above 2.1 percent for these newer units. However, the notice requirements — and the tenant’s right to challenge the increase at the LTB — still apply.

What notice is required?

A landlord must give at least 90 days’ written notice of any rent increase before it takes effect. The notice must use the proper form and correctly state the amount of the increase and the date it is to take effect. A rent increase notice that does not meet these requirements may not be valid.

You do not have to simply accept an increase. If a rent increase notice appears to be incorrect, improperly served, or above the guideline for a rent-controlled unit, you can challenge it at the LTB.

Your Rights Around Repairs and Maintenance

A landlord is required by Ontario law to maintain a rental unit in a good state of repair and ensure it meets health, safety, and housing standards — regardless of what the lease says and regardless of the age of the building.

This obligation covers:

Structural integrity of the unit and building

Working plumbing, heat, and electricity

Freedom from pests

Properly functioning appliances that the landlord has provided

Common areas such as hallways, laundry rooms, and parking

If your landlord is not making necessary repairs, you have options. You can file a T6 application with the LTB for an abatement of rent, compensation, or an order requiring the landlord to carry out repairs.

Before filing, document everything:

Take photographs and video of the problem

Put your repair request in writing — email is fine — so there is a record

Keep copies of all communications

Your Right to Privacy — Landlord Entry Rules

A landlord generally cannot enter your rental unit without:

At least 24 hours’ written notice stating the reason for entry and the time (which must be between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.)

A valid reason — such as making repairs, showing the unit to prospective tenants, or conducting an inspection

There are limited exceptions to the notice requirement. A landlord can enter without notice in a genuine emergency — for example, if there is a flood, fire, or another urgent situation requiring immediate action. A landlord can also enter without advance notice if you consent at the time.

What a landlord cannot do is let themselves in repeatedly with short notice, show up outside of the permitted hours, or use access to the unit to harass or pressure a tenant.

If your landlord is entering your unit without proper notice or consent, this is a violation of your rights under the RTA. You can file a T2 application with the LTB for compensation and an order to stop the behaviour.

Your Rights If You Receive an Eviction Notice

This is one of the most misunderstood areas of Ontario tenancy law.

Receiving a notice of termination does not mean you have to move.

A notice of termination is the first step in a legal process — not the final one. After a notice is given and the notice period expires, the landlord must apply to the LTB for an eviction order. You have the right to respond to that application, appear at the hearing, and present your side.

A landlord cannot legally:

Change your locks

Remove your belongings

Shut off your utilities

Harass or threaten you into leaving

Doing any of these things without an LTB order is an illegal act under the RTA and can result in significant fines and compensation orders against the landlord.

Common eviction notices and what they mean:

N4 (Non-payment of rent): You have 14 days to pay the full amount owing or move out. If you pay, the notice is void.

N5 (Damage or interference): You have 7 days to correct the problem. If you do, the notice may be void.

N12 (Landlord own-use): The landlord claims they or a family member need the unit. You have 60 days’ notice minimum. You have the right to dispute this at the LTB.

N13 (Renovations): The landlord claims the unit needs major renovations. You have the right of first refusal to return, and you can challenge this if you believe the reason is pretextual.

For a detailed walkthrough of how the eviction process works from a landlord’s perspective — which also helps tenants understand the steps — see our article on how to evict a tenant in Ontario.

Harassment and Illegal Lockouts

Some landlords attempt to pressure tenants into leaving through means that fall outside the law — cutting off services, changing locks, removing appliances, or persistent harassment.

These actions are illegal under the RTA.

If your landlord has:

Changed the locks without giving you a key

Cut off heat, hot water, or electricity

Removed your appliances or possessions

Entered your unit repeatedly without proper notice

Made threats or used intimidation to pressure you to leave

…you have the right to file a T2 application with the LTB. The Board can order the landlord to restore your access, compensate you, and stop the conduct. In serious cases, the landlord may also be referred to the Rental Housing Enforcement Unit for investigation.

Common Misconceptions Ontario Tenants Have

“My lease expired so I have to leave.” Not true. When a fixed-term lease ends, most Ontario tenancies automatically become month-to-month. You do not have to leave unless the landlord has a valid legal reason and has obtained an LTB eviction order.

“The landlord can raise my rent by whatever amount they want.” For most rent-controlled units, the increase is capped at the annual guideline (2.1% in 2026). Even for exempt units, proper notice is required.

“If I get an N12, I have to move.” No. An N12 is a notice — not an order. You can dispute it at the LTB. Many own-use evictions are successfully challenged when the landlord’s intention is found to be in bad faith.

“I have no rights because my lease said so.” Lease clauses that take away rights the RTA guarantees are generally unenforceable. What the RTA says overrides what your lease says.

“I should just leave rather than deal with the process.” This is understandable but often premature. In many cases, staying and exercising your rights through the LTB process produces a better outcome than leaving.

Documents Every Tenant Should Keep

The strength of your position in an LTB matter often comes down to documentation. Keep copies of:

Your signed lease agreement

All rent receipts or bank records showing payments

All written communications with your landlord

Photographs or videos of any maintenance issues

Notices you have received (keep the originals)

Any text messages or emails relevant to a dispute

If a dispute goes to the LTB, having a clear paper trail makes a significant difference.

If You Think Your Rights Are Being Violated — Start Here

Work through this checklist before deciding what to do next:

Confirm whether the Residential Tenancies Act applies to your rental situation

Pull together your lease, rent receipts, and all written communications

Document any maintenance issues with photographs and written requests

Check whether any rent increase notice you received is valid — proper form, proper notice period, within the guideline if applicable

If you received an eviction notice, do not assume you must move — read the notice carefully and find out what type it is

Learn what the LTB process looks like for your situation

Get legal advice if the situation is escalating, if you have a hearing scheduled, or if you are unsure what your options are

When Should a Tenant Get Legal Help?

Many LTB matters can be handled without a lawyer — and many tenants do represent themselves successfully. But legal guidance makes a significant difference in certain situations:

You have an LTB hearing scheduled and are not confident presenting your case

Your landlord has a lawyer or paralegal and you do not

You have received an N12 or N13 notice and want to challenge it

You are dealing with repeated illegal entry, harassment, or an illegal lockout

You have significant rent arrears and want to understand your options before the hearing

The stakes are high — significant compensation, a lengthy tenancy at risk, or a dispute involving multiple issues

At J. Solomon Law, Nick [Last Name] represents tenants and landlords before the Landlord and Tenant Board. If you are a tenant dealing with an issue that feels unresolvable, a consultation gives you a clear picture of your rights and your realistic options. Contact us to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a landlord raise the rent by any amount in Ontario?

For most residential units covered by Ontario’s rent control rules, a landlord can only increase rent up to the annual guideline — 2.1 percent in 2026. The increase can only happen once every 12 months, and the landlord must give at least 90 days’ written notice using the proper form. Units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018 may be exempt from the guideline cap on the increase amount, but the notice requirements still apply. Even for exempt units, you can challenge an increase at the Landlord and Tenant Board if the notice was improper.

Does my landlord have to fix things in my rental unit?

Yes. Under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act, landlords are required to maintain a rental unit in a good state of repair and ensure it meets health and safety standards. This obligation applies regardless of what your lease says. If your landlord is not making necessary repairs after you have given written notice of the problem, you can file a T6 application with the Landlord and Tenant Board for a rent abatement, compensation, or an order requiring the landlord to make the repairs.

Can my landlord enter my apartment without notice in Ontario?

Generally, no. A landlord must give at least 24 hours’ written notice before entering your unit, state the reason for entry, and enter only between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. There are limited exceptions — a genuine emergency is the most common one. If your landlord is entering your unit without proper notice or in violation of these rules, you can file a T2 application with the Landlord and Tenant Board for compensation and an order to stop the conduct.

Do I have to move out when I get an eviction notice in Ontario?

No — not immediately. An eviction notice is not an eviction order. After giving a notice of termination and waiting out the notice period, a landlord must apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for a formal eviction order. You have the right to respond to the application and attend the hearing. If the Board rules in the landlord’s favour, you will receive an eviction order stating when you must vacate. Until that order exists, you are not legally required to leave.

What can I do if my landlord illegally changes my locks or cuts off my utilities?

These are illegal acts under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act. You can file a T2 application with the Landlord and Tenant Board as soon as possible. The Board can order the landlord to restore your access immediately, compensate you for any losses, and stop the conduct. In serious cases, the matter can also be referred to the Rental Housing Enforcement Unit. If you find yourself locked out, contact the LTB to understand your emergency options — there are processes for urgent situations.

What is the difference between a notice of termination and an eviction order?

A notice of termination is a document a landlord gives a tenant stating that the tenancy is being ended and why. It is a required first step in the eviction process, but it has no legal force on its own — it does not require you to leave. An eviction order is issued by the Landlord and Tenant Board after a hearing, and it is the document that gives a landlord the legal authority to have a tenant removed through the Court Enforcement Office (Sheriff). You are not required to vacate your unit based on a notice alone.

Know Your Rights — and Use Them

Ontario’s rental laws exist to protect tenants. But the protection only works if tenants know what the law says, what the process looks like, and when to push back.

If you are dealing with a rent dispute, a maintenance problem, an eviction notice, or a landlord who is not following the rules, J. Solomon Law can help you understand your position clearly before you make any decisions. Contact us today to speak with Nick [Last Name] about your situation.

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Ontario landlord and tenant law depends on the specific facts of each situation and is subject to change. The information above reflects Ontario law and the Landlord and Tenant Board’s practices as of June 2026. Reading this article does not create a lawyer-client relationship with J. Solomon Law Professional Corporation. If you are dealing with a landlord-tenant issue, please consult a qualified Ontario legal professional before making decisions.

Tenant Rights in Ontario: What Every Renter Should Know