Guides
Ontario rules, plainly explained.
Operational guidance for landlords and property managers in Ontario. Every answer is written for the person who has to act on it tonight, and every claim is cited to the section of the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 it comes from, so you can read the wording yourself.
16 guides · all verified 25 August 2026
Notice of Entry in Ontario: What the 24-Hour Rule Requires
Ontario landlords need 24 hours' written notice to enter, and it must state the reason, the day and a time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. The exceptions, in full.
What Counts as an Emergency Repair in an Ontario Rental
No heat in winter, flooding, a gas smell or an electrical hazard change what a landlord may do and how fast. How to triage a 2 a.m. message without guessing.
Ontario Rent Increase Rules: Guideline, 90 Days, 12 Months
The Ontario rent increase guideline is 1.9% for 2027 and 2.1% for 2026. Increases need 90 days' written notice on the Board's form and a 12-month gap.
A Landlord's Repair Obligations Under Ontario's RTA
Section 20 requires a landlord to keep a rental in a good state of repair and fit for habitation, even for problems the tenant knew about before signing.
Heat, Water and Vital Services: What a Landlord Must Keep On
Section 21 forbids withholding or interfering with a vital service, including by not paying the utility bill. What that means in a Toronto winter.
Maintenance Records That Stand Up at the LTB
At a hearing the question is whether you can show what was reported, when you knew, what you did, and when. How to keep a record that survives it.
Answering Tenants After Hours Without Being On Call
Most after-hours messages are not emergencies, but you cannot know which without reading them. How small landlords cover nights without an answering service.
Deposits in Ontario: Last Month's Rent, and Nothing Else
Ontario allows a rent deposit of at most one month, applied to the last rent period. Damage, key and pet deposits are prohibited by section 134.
No-Pet Clauses in Ontario Leases Are Void
Section 14 makes any lease provision prohibiting animals void, even one the tenant signed. What a landlord can still do about an animal in the unit.
The N4 in Ontario: Notice Periods and How It Is Voided
An N4 for non-payment currently runs 14 days for a monthly tenancy. From 21 September 2026 it is 7 days for every tenancy. Paying the arrears voids it.
N12 Own-Use Notices and the One Month of Compensation
An N12 requires a month's rent in compensation, or another acceptable unit. From 21 September 2026 a notice giving 120 days' warning is exempt from that.
Changing the Locks on an Ontario Rental
A landlord may change a unit's locks but must give the tenant replacement keys. A tenant needs the landlord's consent. Lockouts are not a rent-collection tool.
What Changes for Ontario Landlords on 21 September 2026
Bill 60's second wave amends the Residential Tenancies Act on 21 September 2026. The two that change daily practice: the N4 period and N12 compensation.
A Tenant's Belongings After They Go: The 72-Hour Rule
After an enforced eviction a landlord must not dispose of a tenant's property for 72 hours and must make it retrievable nearby. An abandoned unit is 30 days.
Assignment and Subletting: The Seven-Day Clock
A landlord who ignores an assignment request for seven days gives the tenant a right to end the tenancy. Sublet consent cannot be withheld unreasonably.
Window Air Conditioners: What a Tenant May Install
Since 2023 an Ontario tenant may install a window or portable air conditioner after written notice. If the landlord pays hydro, rent may rise by actual cost.
This is operational guidance for landlords, not legal advice. It cites the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 so you can read the wording yourself. For a dispute, a notice or an application, talk to the Landlord and Tenant Board or a lawyer.