Is Ontario residential tenancy agreement mandatory?
Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, everyone has the right to equal treatment in housing without discrimination or harassment. All sections of this agreement are mandatory and cannot be changed.
Is there a standard lease in Ontario?
The standard lease is mandatory for most private residential tenancies for new agreements signed on or after April 30, 2018. It also contains helpful information about rights and responsibilities under the act.
How do you write a lease agreement?
Common contents of a lease agreement include:
- Names of the lessor and lessee or their agents.
- Description of the property.
- Amount of rent and due dates, grace period, late charges.
- Mode of rent payment.
- Methods to terminate the agreement prior to the expiration date and charges if any.
Do you need a written lease in Ontario?
The law in Ontario does not require a written tenancy agreement. However, landlords are strongly encouraged to document the terms of the tenancy by way of a written agreement, signed by the landlord and the tenant, before the tenancy begins.
How long can a residential lease be in Ontario?
Ontario has a Standard Form of Lease for residential properties. The standard form of lease lists things like: Names and contact information of the tenant and the landlord. How long the lease is (usually 12 months, but can be for short time if specified).
What happens after 1 year lease is up Ontario?
In Ontario, when a residential lease expires, and there is no new lease, the tenancy automatically becomes a month-to-month tenancy.
Do landlords have to renew a lease in Ontario?
A: No, you do not. In Ontario, a residential tenancy is automatically renewed unless the tenant or the landlord gives the other a notice of termination, or they agree to terminate the tenancy after signing it.
Is there a standard lease agreement template in Ontario?
Since April 2018, a standard lease agreement template was available from the Ontario government for landlords across the province. When complete, the standard lease creates a contract between the landlord and tenant. It is also called a residential tenancy agreement.
Can a standard lease be modified in Ontario?
When complete, the standard lease creates a contract between the landlord and tenant. It is also called a residential tenancy agreement. However, this standard residential tenancy agreement in Ontario was not mandatory and could be modified and altered by landlords, and such modifications and amendments were common practice.
When do landlords have to use a standard lease form?
This form is a residential tenancy agreement (standard lease). Landlords of most private residential rental units must use this form (standard lease) when they enter into a tenancy with a tenant. Until February 28, 2021, a landlord and tenant may use either the old or updated version of the standard lease for their tenancy agreement.
What is a lease guide for Ontario?
Guide to Ontario’s standard lease A guide, in multiple languages, to help landlords and tenants understand and complete the Standard Form of Lease (standard lease). It also contains information on rental rules, and rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants under the Residential Tenancies Act.